Brian Ross & The Investigative Team Earn Three Emmy Nominations
Ross and his team nominated for reports that aired on '20/20' and 'World News'
July 15, 2008— -- The nominations for the 29th annual News and Documentary Emmy Awards were announced today in New York. Brian Ross and the Investigative Team received three nominations.
For the category of Outstanding Investigative Journalism in a News Magazine, Ross and his team were nominated for two reports that aired on 20/20, 'Prescriptions for Error' and 'To Catch a Predator: A Sting Gone Bad'.
Prescriptions for Error
In a two-part investigation, producers from the Ross Investigative Team fanned out across the country to fill 100 prescriptions in an undercover field test of the country's best known chain drug stores. 'Prescriptions for Error' showed how overworked pharmacists are pushed to fill prescriptions at a fast pace, relying on pharmacy technicians, often as young as 16 with little training, to fill prescriptions involving even the most powerful drugs.
The four month investigation found an astounding 22% error rate, 1 out of 5 prescriptions filled at major retail pharmacies contained some type of error, what industry experts fear is an unreported epidemic of pharmacy errors.
"The results confirm our worst fears," said Dr. Ken Barker of Auburn University School of Pharmacy. "There really is a problem out there."
(click here to watch Prescriptions for Error)
To Catch a Predator: A Sting Gone Bad
Ross' investigation of Dateline NBC's 'To Catch a Predator' examined what can go wrong when the news media and police get a little too close. The report detailed what went on behind the scenes of a sexual predator sting operation when the Murphy, Texas police department made a deal to team up with Dateline NBC and the controversial internet vigilante group Perverted Justice.
Despite strong warnings from the local District Attorney, the sting took place and resulted in the suicide of a prominent man and criminal charges were dropped against 23 alleged sexual predators due to flawed evidence. The suicide and dropped charges raised serious questions as to the methods used by Dateline NBC, Murphy police, and Perverted Justice. One former Murphy police officer involved in the sting operation said he was "truly ashamed to have been part of that."
Popular Reads
ABC News Live