Samantha Manning of WSB-TV awarded Television prize by Military Reporters & Editors
Samantha Manning produced a series of unsettling video reports for WSB-TV detailing revolting living conditions military families have experienced living in privatized, on-base housing. The investigation revealed similar, systemic issues around the country, where NDAs were used by these private companies with lengthy contracts with the Department of Defense to reach settlements and keep military families from speaking out. When these findings were brought to the attention of members of the Senate Armed Service Committee, members from both parties expressed disapproval at the practice, and not long after a group of Senators wrote a letter to the Secretary of Defense referencing this reporting, calling on the DoD to prohibit NDAs.
— From the judges
Award Summary
Broadcast News Privatized Military Housing Investigation series
Prize Category: First Place, Television Coverage — Network / Large Market — Networks (Broadcast and cable) and Top 10 local TV markets
Samantha Manning Biography
Samantha Manning is a Washington D.C. Correspondent for Cox Media Group (CMG) with more than a dozen years of professional television reporting experience. Since arriving to Capitol Hill in 2019, she has developed a passion for covering critical issues impacting service members and their families. Her continuing investigative coverage of privatized military housing has led to calls from Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other U.S. Senators for change from the Defense Department. Samantha is continuing to follow these developments today.
See the series submissions
Published 9/16/22, 9/17/22 | WSB-TV
‘Why is it acceptable?’: Military families push for accountability for base housing problems
Published 11/30/22, 12/4/22 | WSB-TV
‘It’s hush money’: Military family rejects $5k settlement over mold, sewage problems at their home
Published 12/9/22, 12/10/22 | WSB-TV
Senators call for end to non-disclosure agreements in military housing settlements
Published 12/20/22 | WSB-TV
Exclusive: Senators call on DoD to end use of NDAs in privatized military housing