Rhode Island PBS Weekly co-host and reporter Pamela Watts has received one of local television’s highest honors: induction into the 2022 Silver Circle.
The award recognizes a career of outstanding achievement for at least 25 years. It was presented this month by the Boston/New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Ms. Watts is a Rhode Island native and has spent her entire career as a journalist covering the Ocean State and Southern New England. She grew up in Warwick and graduated from the University of Rhode Island.
At age 19, Ms. Watts began her career as a local radio newscaster, then soon became anchor and reporter for the Providence Journal’s groundbreaking Local Cable News. She moved to broadcast TV journalism at WLNE-TV Channel-6 and WPRI-TV Channel 12, and also helped launch Rhode Island's first public radio station (now "The Public's Radio").
Ms. Watts was already a two-time Emmy® winner for Best Anchor in New England, and her reporting has been honored with first-place awards from the Associated Press, The National Federation of Press Women, and the Massachusetts Medical Society. She also received the Rhode Island Commission on Women’s Hope Award and URI’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
In her current role on Rhode Island PBS Weekly for WSBE Rhode Island PBS, Ms. Watts reports new, in-depth stories about the Ocean State.
“We commend Pamela for her reporting for Rhode Island PBS Weekly as well as for her many contributions to the community,” said David W. Piccerelli, president of Rhode Island PBS. “We are so glad she joined our team.”
“Pamela’s generous spirit, along with her talent, journalistic integrity, and wonderful storytelling have brought much to our broadcast,” said Barbara Dury, Rhode Island PBS Weekly executive producer. “Congratulations on this wonderful achievement.”
At the Emmy® Silver Circle awards ceremony this month in Quincy, Ms. Watts reflected on her long career and expressed gratitude for her position at Rhode Island PBS.
“You get a front seat to history. I learn something every day,” Ms. Watts said. “It is a profession with purpose. This is a public service, and there are still people who are hungry for the truth. What a privilege to do this job.”
Rhode Island PBS Weekly is a news magazine broadcast from Rhode Island PBS that airs Sundays at 7:30 p.m., with encores on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Full episodes and segments are available on-demand atripbs.org/weekly.
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36. Rhode Island PBS is now available to subscribers of YouTubeTV. The full schedule is available to live stream for free within the broadcast viewing area atwatch.ripbs.org/livestream. An expansive catalog of PBS series, documentaries, and specials is available to Rhode Island PBS members throughRhode Island PBS Passport.
