Bowling Green-An Ashland newspaper editor and a Bowling Green religion writer were the inaugural recipients of a journalism award for religion coverage bestowed by the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
Veteran journalist Mark Maynard, editor of The Independent in Ashland, and Laurel Wilson, a reporter for The Daily News of Bowling Green, were recognized Nov. 10 with the Integrity Award for Coverage of Faith Issues during the KBC annual meeting at Living Hope Baptist Church in Bowling Green.
In presenting the award, KBC Executive Director Paul Chitwood said, “The selection committee was impressed not only with the high quality of the stories published under Maynard’s direction, but also by the vast quantity of stories. No other newspaper in the state has provided the same volume of coverage.”
KBC Communications Director Roger Alford, who nominated Maynard for the award, added, “The selection committee especially appreciated that, without exception, all of The Independent’s religion stories were fair, balanced and accurate.”
Wilson also was commended for her clear understanding of the religion issues she covers.
“The selection committee was impressed by the thorough, thoughtful coverage you have provided over the past year,” Chitwood said to Wilson.
Alford, a former correspondent for The Associated Press, noted that as a writer for one of Kentucky’s major regional daily newspapers, Wilson has proven herself as a topnotch journalist. “She’s an easy choice for the Integrity Award,” he said. (WR)