CNN scoops top IBC innovation awards

News broadcaster CNN has picked up two awards for innovation at the International Broadcasting Conference in Amsterdam this week.

CNN's digital news gathering operations were given the Innovation award for Content Creation for its coverage of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in July 2006, and the overall Judges Award, which is chosen from all the awards' entrants.

The award judges recognised the news operation's use of lightweight kits that combine cameras, editing tools and communications equipment, enabling journalists to deliver immediate live and video submissions, editing and voice communication from anywhere in the world.

Jury chairman Mike Lumley said: "On behalf of IBC and the judges we congratulate CNN. This is exactly the sort of project that deserves recognition. A major broadcaster had a clear idea of what it wanted to achieve and brought together a team of technical partners to make it happen. In a particularly strong field of entries this year, it was never going to be easy to pick a Judges' Prize but this is a most worthy winner."

Tony Maddox, managing director of CNN International, said: "This is an amazing tribute to CNN's often unsung heroes, our technical and satellite crews, whose ingenuity and tenacity in getting the job done shines through everyday at CNN."