The South Dakota Broadcaster’s Association has recognized a member of the Performance Radio staff for making a significant contribution to South Dakota Broadcasting with the 2015 Tom Brokaw Award. Zach Nelson was given the award for his work in helping to get expanded electronic media coverage of circuit court proceedings approved by the Unified Judicial System. Nelson testified before the South Dakota Supreme Court on the issue during a public hearing on Cameras in the Court on October 9th of 2010…
Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson referenced Nelson’s testimony when the Camera in the Court rules were announced in March of 2011….
Nelson also made the first two request to open the courts to electronic coverage. July first 2011, the day the rules went into effect, just happened to be the final day of a Huron murder trial…
The Tom Brokaw Award is a cooperative venture between the Broadcaster’s Association and the Media and Contemporary Journalism Department at the University of South Dakota, a department led by Dr. Michelle Van Mannen…
The Award recognizes for work both on and off air. Former Performance Radio General Manager Linda Marcus highlighted all of Nelson participation in the community from work the Salvation Army to being a reserve police officer…
Thirty-one people have been given the Tom Brokaw Award since Brokaw himself was given the first award in 1981. Nelson’s name will go on permanent display with previous winners in the Al Neuharth Media Center at the University of South Dakota.