Fanshawe College to receive "Bill Hutton Award of Excellence" from RTDNA Canada

TORONTO, May 29, 2013 /CNW/ - RTDNA Canada - The Association of Electronic Journalists is pleased to announce that Fanshawe College will receive the 2013 "Bill Hutton Award of Excellence."

Formerly known as the "Friend of RTDNA Canada Award" the award was renamed in 2009 to honour the late Bill Hutton, RTDNA Canada's first president.  The award is given to individuals or organizations, which have shown a true commitment to RTDNA and the betterment of broadcast journalism in Canada. 

"Fanshawe College is the first educational institution to win this award and it's very fitting," said RTDNA president Ian Koenigsfest.   "With 49 RTNDF scholarship awards in the 33 years of the program, Fanshawe's commitment to broadcast journalism excellence is apparent.  Their support through student and faculty participation in many RTDNA projects is much appreciated."

Fanshawe's relationship with the RTDNA is extremely deep, 3 Presidents attended or worked at the college - George Clark, Jason Moore and Andy Leblanc.  Bob Collins, who taught at Fanshawe for 38 years served as president of RTDNF and the very first RTDNA scholarship winner was Jasmine Dooh from Fanshawe in April, 1979.

"We are very honoured to be recognized with the Bill Hutton award," said Fanshawe College Broadcast Journalism coordinator Jim Van Horne.  "The RTDNA Code of Ethics provides a great foundation as a learning tool in our classroom.  RTDNA members are also such good mentors for our students and always available for advice.  It's so important to have that support when students are starting out."

The Bill Hutton Award of Excellence will be presented at the RTDNA President's Gala on Friday, June 14^th in conjunction with the association's national conference June 13-15, 2013 in Toronto.

Previous recipients of the award include Global News, the past presidents of RTDNA,  Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, The Canadian Press, CNN Newsource Sales, CNW Group, WIC, VOCM Radio, Golden West Radio, Broadcast Dialogue magazine, CTV, Taylor Enterprises, media lawyer Dan Burnett and the U.S. RTDNA.

RTDNA Canada is the voice of electronic journalists and news managers in Canada.  The members of RTDNA Canada recognize the responsibility of broadcast journalists to promote and to protect the freedom to report independently about matters of public interest and to present a wide range of expressions, opinions and ideas. 

SOURCE: RTDNA Canada