Our awards program for broadcast and now digital journalism was first launched 50 years ago and to this day an RTDNA award is regarded as great recognition for journalism excellence.
Despite concerns about the broadcasting industry and local journalism, our awards program is running stronger than ever. We had more than 700 submissions this year. Dozens of award categories are presented for video, audio, and digital storytelling, first in each of the four regions—so at a local level—and then at a national conference.
In addition to the regional and national awards, the RTDNA also acknowledges outstanding contributions to the industry through the lifetime achievement award and the president's award. Recipients of these awards include Lloyd Robertson, Linden MacIntyre, Vicki Gabereau, Robert Hurst, Henry Champ, Lowell Green, Rex Murphy, Craig Oliver, Dick Smyth, Knowlton Nash, and Jack Webster.
Next month we'll be honouring Peter Mansbridge, Tom Clark, and Lisa LaFlamme at our national convention.
Last year the president's award was given symbolically to the Canadian journalist. The citation stated:
As an association, we are extremely proud of our Code of Ethics which has been put to the test repeatedly.... The code has been described as the standard for Canadian excellence in [broadcast] and digital journalism.... Our industry has been under extraordinary pressure on the very foundations that support journalistic freedom in our country and our members have not wavered.
To this end, in 2015 RTDNA Canada presented the president's award to Canadian journalists as they have stood firm in protecting not only the code of ethics, but the very essence of journalistic integrity.