Church closings. Gay marriage. Big Dig tunnel leaks. This year, Greater Boston continued to take on the hot-button issues that affect our diverse communities. WGBH's unique role as Boston's last locally controlled television broadcaster "gives us both the freedom and the mandate to explore topics in greater depth than nationally based commercial media could or would," says Emily Rooney, Greater Boston's executive editor and host. The popular nightly program is poised to respond not only to the events of the day, but also to the concerns of the community.

"We tap the wisdom of regional authorities and experts in our own backyard," says John Carroll, executive producer. A typical week's roster might feature perspective from local academics on stem cell research, an in-depth discussion of police use of force, and an extended interview with Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney or Boston Mayor Tom Menino. Greater Boston's popular Friday media watch, Beat the Press, brings the same signature journalistic analysis to the "story behind the stories we cover," Carroll adds. "We want to help viewers make their own connections about the way news coverage of current events can shape, or distort, public perception."