In a room the size of a storage closet, Brandon Etheredge sat at one of the four computers that line the walls. Three other college-aged students sat at the remaining computers around him. None seemed to notice the cramped space as they each worked on different video projects. A small, frameless mirror hanged on an off-white wall across from the computers, the perfect height for someone to put on makeup while standing up.
Etheredge looked comfortable in his fuzzy jacket, jeans and tennis shoes. He used his computer to edit a video of Governor Kay Ivey.
“It’s slow today,” he said. “I rarely get to edit video.”
Etheredge was getting ready for Eagle Eye TV’s Thursday night show. He works as the station manager there while studying media studies at the University. Outside of Eagle Eye and classes, Etheredge works at WTVM, where his three-part story about an online scam won him first place in the Hearst Television Awards competition in January.
Etheredge said he was scrolling through community Facebook groups when he noticed a post from someone who said she ordered a product from Swoon & Co. on Facebook and never received the order. He researched it more before airing that night what would be the first part of a series.
The second story was the business owner’s response. The final story, which aired 10 months after the first story, helped the hundreds of people who never received their products file a complaint and get their money back.
“When you are put in a place where you can see something that’s being done that’s hurting people in whatever way, financially, emotionally, physically, or whatever, and be able to shine a light on that,” Etheredge said, “I think that story is what we as journalists are called to do.”
Even though Etheredge received hundreds of messages from people who were helped by his story, he says it was still difficult for him to deal with the conflict. He received angry Facebook messages from the business owner and her friends attacking his character and his job performance.
Etheredge said he was on his way to a restaurant with his fiancée, Charlsie Nacrelli, when he started reading all the comments. After reading them, he couldn’t eat when they arrived at the restaurant.
“She had me believing I was this terrible person, but I had just done my job,” Etheredge said. “I know I’m confident in what I’m doing, but when I get that criticism, it’s hard on me.”
Still, Etheredge and his fiancée say it was worth it.
“He went through all of that torture to get a Hearst Journalism award out of it,” said Nacrelli.
Etheredge will compete again in the championship round in early June.
Deloris Washington, Etheredge’s boss at WTVM, said she isn’t surprised that he won the award.
“Brandon is a phenomenal journalist. He’s really good at presenting information to viewers in a clear, engaging and meaningful manner.” Washington said.
Nacrelli, who studies journalism at Auburn University, will have her wedding with Etheredge after they both graduate in May. They agree that wedding planning, job searches, graduation and other extracurricular activities keep them more than busy.
“I just think it’s kind of pointless,” Etheredge said. “I’ve never understood why reporters go to college.” He pointed to a stack of books on the counter that he doesn’t care to read for class. He said that he would rather focus on doing well in his other jobs than doing schoolwork.
While he doesn’t stress about the wedding, Etheredge said he wishes he knew where they will be in six months. Neither of them have secured a job or apartment for after graduation.
“We both want to be in Atlanta. That’s where our heart is," Etheredge said. "We love the city, we love the people in Atlanta. There’s just something about it that we love. It’s just hard to find a job there.”
Nacrelli says that he always talks about his love for family and can see that reflected in the way he treats her. She also says she loves his cheesy humor. “He keeps me laughing,” she says.
Washington also looked back at a memory with Etheredge that made her laugh. She used his news car while at work to report on a story and noticed a bunch of bricks in the back seat. Thinking they were trash, Washington threw them out.
“When I saw him, I asked him about them. I said, ‘I don’t know why they were in there, but I threw them all out in the parking lot.’ And he said, ‘Oh I need those! I stand on top of those so that I can appear taller on air!’”
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