NYWIFT | Member Profile: Melissa Cornick

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Member Profile: Melissa Cornick

Melissa Cornick is an award-winning investigative television producer.

Her June report, “Cruelty to Owners?” for 20/20, has garnered recognition for her investigation of SPCAs’ tactics of painting rural animal owners and breeders as abusers. The program received the 2006 Radio Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) Edward R. Murrow Award — making Cornick one of the few African-Americans at ABC News to receive this pinnacle award.

The report also received the National Headliner's Award, Mongerson $5000 Prize for Ethics in Reporting, 2006 Cine Golden Eagle and Clarion Award.

Cornick began her career as part of Walter Cronkite’s documentary unit. Her career spans top network news magazine and documentary television programs, including 60 Minutes, 20/20, Dateline, NBC News Now and CBS Reports with Walter Cronkite.

Her ground-breaking investigations have covered hot topics spanning from constitutional rights issues to changes in government and business practices to saving lives of children.

Her Town on Trial uncovered the wrongful imprisonment of a quarter of the adult black population in Tulia, Texas for drug dealing. As the result of her investigation, the prisoners — many of who had received 60-year sentences — were ultimately released.

Blind Faith (NBC News Now) followed Americans to Cuba for medical treatment, exposing Harvard University for product claims made in treatment against degenerative blindness. Her profile on Judge Judith Scheindlin for 60 Minutes resulted in her subject’s nationally-syndicated courtroom show.

Her many awards include the Anna Quindlen Award, National Association of Black Journalists (NAJB) Awards and an Emmy nomination.

Last updated: Jun. 15, 2010