Ralph Griswold, a veteran WBZ-TV photojournalist, was inducted this month into the honorary society of the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Boston/New England Chapter. Established in 1993, the Gold and Silver Circle awards recognize those in a television station, cable channel or production house who have been reliable and valuable contributors and mentors.
Gold Circle is an honor society within the chapter for those with 50 or more years working in pursuit of the profession’s highest and most noble goals. Silver Circle is for members who have 25 or more years of service and dedication.
Griswold was recognized for infusing stories with captivating visuals. His work, combined with an artistic flair, “establishes him as a true luminary in the world of journalism, enriching the lives of viewers and leaving an indelible mark on the realm of his craft,” the award organizers said.
Griswold currently works as a multimedia-digital videographer/editor for WBZ-TV Boston. His career extends beyond local TV broadcasts to a variety of outlets, including sports programming, children’s programing, documentaries and public service announcements. He also was director of photography for Kreateabuzz Documentary Films.
Griswold, who was the first Black chief photographer in the Boston market in 1990, has had a storied career, winning seven Emmy Awards, New England Chapter, in three different categories — videography, audio and lighting. Other awards include an Iris Award and Black Achievers Award. Most recently, he was named as one of Boston’s 25 Most Influential Men of Color 2023.
He also is active as a volunteer and is often invited to speak at high schools, community centers and colleges, including conducting hands-on workshops.
This year’s Gold Circle Inductees are Don Carrigan, a reporter at News Center Maine, and Ike Laughinghouse, news editor at WCVB-TV.
Griswold joins other 2023 Silver Circle recipients David Burt, station manager at Boston City TV; Tom Griffith, retired news anchor/Host at WMUR; Gerry Wardwell, assistant news director at WCVB; and Joanne Whitehead, senior director of TV Programming and Operations at CPTV.
The awardees were inducted during the Academy’s Gold & Silver Circle awards ceremony Dec. 5 at Granite Links in Quincy, Massachusetts. In a press statement, Kathryn Shehade, president of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Boston / New England Chapter, praised the honorees for “their extraordinary contributions and commitment to New England media, our community and their craft.”
