TBA Law Blog

TBA Law Blog

Kingsport Times News Honored with Fourth Estate Award

Posted by: Barry Kolar on May 24, 2022

NASHVILLE, May 24, 2022 — The Kingsport Times News will be presented with the Fourth Estate Award during the Tennessee Bar Association’s (TBA) annual convention in Nashville.

The Times News is being recognized for its extensive coverage of the opioid crisis and its effects on the Appalachian Highlands, highlighted by its “Meth Mountain” series. During a seven-month period, reporters, editors and a videographer took readers on a journey into the local and regional proliferation of meth and fentanyl. Reporters conducted dozens of interviews that generated more than 20 stories, a myriad of photos, word clouds, graphics and daily videos. The newspaper also published 10 editorials or columns.

The scale of the project, the perseverance of the news team and the exposure of this generally ignored issue with local impact all demonstrate the core purpose of investigative journalism. Taken as a whole, the coverage provided a strong first step toward enacting positive change, providing an analytical, unbiased, multifaceted report that will help legislators, health care professionals, law enforcement, judges and addicts.

The TBA's Fourth Estate Award was established to recognize and encourage journalists who promote public understanding of the rule of law and improvements in our system of justice through their vigorous exercise of their First Amendment rights. Previous winners include the Daily Memphian’s Marc Perrusquia, the Bristol Herald, the Nashville Scene’s Steven Hale and WSMV Channel 4’s I-Team.

The Tennessee Bar Association was founded in 1881. Its membership represents the entire spectrum of the legal profession in Tennessee and beyond. The TBA is open to all licensed attorneys in good standing, and it is dedicated to enhancing fellowship and professionalism among the members of Tennessee’s legal community.

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