Tradeoffs has won a 2025 National Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association for “The Fifth Branch,” the three-part series created in partnership with The Marshall Project. This marks the first Murrow Award in Tradeoffs’ history.
Named for legendary broadcaster Edward R. Murrow, the Murrow awards honor outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital journalism. Tradeoffs received the award in the Podcast category (small digital organization division).
“This is some of the most important journalism our organization has produced,” said Dan Gorenstein, Tradeoffs founder and executive editor. “Too many people have been harmed, even killed, in the middle of a mental health crisis. Our series shines a light on real-world alternatives that can improve safety for people in need and law enforcement officers.”
“The Fifth Branch” explores how cities across the U.S. are creating new kinds of first responders for 911 calls involving mental illness, addiction or suicidal thoughts. The series focuses on Durham, North Carolina’s HEART program, one of the most robust alternative crisis response programs in the country.
“We spent more than a year working on The Fifth Branch, and I spent nearly a month reporting on the ground in Durham,” said Tradeoffs producer Ryan Levi. “I talked with more than 50 people — including Durham city leaders, first responders, program critics and residents who had called HEART in a crisis — to make sure we could provide an in-depth picture of HEART’s successes and challenges.”
Earlier this year, “The Fifth Branch” received an award from the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism, the annual awards presented by the Association of Health Care Journalists.
“Tradeoffs’ work is always driven by a belief that rigorous, narrative reporting can make complex issues accessible and help inform smarter policy conversations,” said Gorenstein.
“The ongoing reach of The Fifth Branch demonstrates the impact of our editorial approach,” he said. “The award is that much sweeter knowing that absolutely everyone in our organization had a hand in helping produce this work.”
The full list of 2025 Edward R. Murrow Award winners can be found on the RTDNA website.
