Global News to receive "Bill Hutton Award of Excellence" from RTNDA Canada

TORONTO, March 9 /CNW/ - RTNDA Canada - The Association of Electronic Journalists is pleased to announce that Global News will receive the 2011 "Bill Hutton Award of Excellence."  

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

Since its origins in the early 1970s, and through ownership changes from Global Communications, to Canwest, and now Shaw Media, Global News has actively supported RTNDA Canada.

"I'm happy that Global News continues to be a loyal friend of RTNDA Canada. Global News and its news people have always been well represented in our membership, including several Global News employees who have served on our Board of Directors, and on committees. The company has consistently sponsored conference events, providing vital financial backing for professional development sessions," said RTNDA Canada President Andy LeBlanc.

"Global News has always believed that its support for RTNDA Canada has helped to foster growth within the association, and maintain the integrity of our entire industry," says Troy Reeb, Vice President, Global News for Shaw Media. "Through the application of its Code of Ethics and its professional development activities, RTNDA improves the quality of Canadian journalism. Better journalism means better communities, which speaks to the core values of both Global News and Shaw Media."

The "Bill Hutton Award of Excellence" will be presented at the association's national conference June 23-25, 2011 in Halifax.

Previous recipients of the award include the 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. 

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.