Cerissa Tanner (MJ ’06) Wins Peabody Award for Documentary Film

The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication named J-School alum Cerissa Tanner (MJ ’06) as a recipient of a Peabody Award for her documentary “The OxyContin Express.”

“The OxyContin Express” investigates the illicit prescription drug pipeline that stretches from South Florida, the “Colombia of prescription drugs”, to the hills of Appalachia. The documentary traces the flow of the pills, from the point of purchase at unregulated pain clinics to the homes of those who are affected by these powerful painkillers.

Thirty-six recipients of the 69h Annual Peabody Awards were announced today by the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The winners, chosen by the Peabody board as the best in electronic media for 2009, were named in a ceremony in the Peabody Gallery on the University of Georgia Campus.

The Peabody Awards, the oldest honor in electronic media. The Peabody recognizes distinguished achievement and meritorious public service by TV and radio stations, networks, cablecasters, Webcasters, producing organizations and individuals.

To read more about the awards, click here.