2011 RTNDA Canada President's Award Winner

TORONTO, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - RTNDA Canada - The Association of Electronic Journalists is pleased to announce that John Hinnen, Vice-President and General Manager of 680 News and Vice President of Radio News Programming for Rogers Broadcasting is this year's recipient of the RTNDA President's Award. 

RTNDA's highest honour is presented annually to recognize individuals or groups that have brought distinction to, or made major contributions to, broadcast journalism.

John Hinnen is an accomplished news executive and a radio news career that spans nearly four decades with Rogers. He first started out as a sportscaster in 1974, and only a few years later was appointed news director of CFTR. By 1987 he was appointed VP of News at CHFI, and is considered the architect of 680News which went on the air in 1993. He has also oversees Rogers All News stations in Vancouver, Calgary and Ottawa as well as the News/Talk stations in Kitchener, Saint John, Moncton and Halifax.

John Hinnen has contributed to broadcast journalism in many ways. As a long-time member of RTNDA Canada, he has served as President of both the Association and the Foundation. He currently serves as Vice-President of the Ontario Association of Broadcasters.

Under his direction, Rogers sponsors numerous scholarships, bursaries and other resources for broadcast schools from coast to coast.

"Under John's guidance 680News and the other All News stations have become major news voices in the cities they serve. Combine that with his extensive contribution to the RTNDA John Hinnen is an excellent choice for this years award," said RTNDA President Andy LeBlanc

Hinnen said he is humbled to receive this award. He added, "This award is recognition of the amazing people I've had a chance to work with over the years from Ted Rogers who had the vision for 680News to the amazing team of journalists we work with daily."

The RTNDA President's Award will be presented at the President's Award Gala during the RTNDA National Conference in Halifax on Friday, June 24, 2011.

RTNDA Canada is the voice of electronic journalists and news managers in Canada. The members of RTNDA 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. The RTNDA Canada Code of Ethics, adopted by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, is used to measure fairness and accuracy in the profession.