2011 RTNDA Canada Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

TORONTO, April 27 /CNW/ - RTNDA Canada - The Association of Electronic Journalists is pleased to announce that Costas Halavrezos will be honoured with 2011 RTNDA Lifetime Achievement Award in the Atlantic Region.  The award will be presented at the RTNDA Atlantic Regional Awards Banquet in Halifax on Thursday, June 23.

Costas Halavrezos, who retired this fall from CBC Radio, was one of the best known broadcasters in the Maritimes.  It's a tribute to him that many people didn't call the show by its proper name 'Maritime Noon', it was the Costas show.  Costas always felt he had the best job in the world.  He got to talk to interesting people around the Maritimes every day, and to bring their stories to his listeners.  But he also worked hard to make sure the Maritime Noon team told the stories that were most interesting to people, and to tell those stories in the best way possible.  Costas was an excellent writer, often working right up until the last minute perfecting his scripts.

Costas freelanced for the CBC in the 1970's then took on a full time produce job in his native Saint John.  In 1982, he went in front of the microphone, first on the Saint John afternoon show, then in Quebec City.  Finally he arrived in Halifax to host Maritime Noon.  He stayed for 23 years.

Costas has also hosted several network programs and specials, along with many charity events in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was created in 2002 to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and continued excellence during the course of their career in broadcast journalism.

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 our profession.