LIVESHOTS.NET - BOB ARYA

Bob Arya is an Emmy award winning, general assignment reporter at CLTV.

In his eighth year at CLTV, Arya has covered some of the biggest and most important stories in the Chicagoland area. In addition to his work on the streets, Arya has researched, written, produced and hosted four special programs. In the Emmy nominated "Cardinal George: The Elevation", Arya followed Chicago Archbishop Francis George to Rome for his elevation to the College of Cardinals.

Arya's most recent program, "Prisoner of Progress", is a compelling news documentary. The show is a detailed look at the Kane County Jail - one of the most crowded and dangerous in the nation. Arya's work prompted the Illinois State Senate to hold hearings into the conditions at the jail.

In 2001, Arya won an Emmy for "Power Struggle" - an in depth look at the controversy surrounding natural gas fired power plants in the Chicagoland area. "Power Struggle" was also nominated for a 2000 George Foster Peabody award and has been added to the archives of the Museum of Broadcast Communications.

Arya also won critical acclaim for the news documentary "Autopsy: A Dying Practice." The program examined the decline in the use of autopsy in this country, and the life and death issues that accompany it.

Arya is also a recognized author. His journalism textbook "Thirty Seconds to Air: A Field Reporter's Guide to Live Television Reporting" is used by hundreds of college and university students nationwide. Arya is also called upon to teach at schools across the country. Arya is very active in major journalism organizations.

Before coming to CLTV, Arya was a general/special assignment reporter in downstate Peoria. Arya filed reports from London, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and South America. In addition, Arya covered the Oakland fires in California, The nation's most deadly and costly natural disaster - Hurricane Andrew in Homestead, Florida, and the Northridge Earthquake in California.

Arya is also recognized for his first amendment work. He was held in contempt of court for refusing to reveal confidential sources in a murder investigation. Arya was sentenced to jail - but won the case on appeal. It helped define the Reporter Privilege statute in Illinois . That case is cited frequently not only in this state, but in courtrooms across the country when reporters are faced with similar prosecutions.

Arya also holds the National American Red Cross Certificate of Merit - the highest award issued by the organization. Arya received the award for saving a human life with the use of CPR and rescue breathing.