TORONTO – The Radio Television Digital News Association Canada announced Monday that Journalists for Human Rights will receive its 2018 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 who have shown a true commitment to RTDNA and the betterment of journalism in Canada.
Journalists for Human Rights, Canada’s largest international media development organisation is committed to empowering journalists to cover local human rights issues ethically and effectively, says the press release.
“Having been fortunate enough to experience the work of JHR first-hand, I was struck at how closely aligned our two organisations are,” said RTDNA president Ian Koenigsfest in the release. “After forming a partnership with JHR several years ago, it became evident that their support was enhancing and strengthening several of our core mandates including excellence in journalism and strengthening journalistic integrity through the Code of Journalistic Ethics.”
"Journalists for Human Rights exists to strengthen media, both at home and abroad, in places where oversight is weak and human rights abuses are common,” added Rachel Pulfer, executive director of JHR. “We are delighted, encouraged and enormously humbled by this honour from RTDNA Canada and take it as both a celebration of our work, and a challenge to live up to the standard it represents."
The award will be presented at President’s Reception on May 25 during the 2018 RTDNA National Conference & Awards Gala.
