TORONTO – The Association of Electronic Journalists (RTNDA Canada) has renamed its Friend of RTNDA Canada Award after its first president, Bill Hutton.
Now called the Bill Hutton Award of Excellence, it will be presented next at the association’s national conference, running June 19-21 in Ottawa.
“Bill was RTNDA’s first president and as such this award recognizes his significant contribution to our association. For 45 years now, RTNDA has assisted working journalists in this country and we owe a great deal of thanks to Bill Hutton for helping to make that happen,” said current RTNDA president Bob McLaughlin.
The award is presented to individuals or organizations, which have shown a commitment to RTNDA and the betterment of broadcast journalism in Canada.
Hutton became the first president of RTNDA Canada in 1963 when he was working as news director of CFRB Radio in Toronto. Retired from broadcasting in 1989, he now lives in Halifax.
Previous recipients of the award include The Canadian Press, CNN Newsource Sales, CNW Group, WIC, VOCM Radio, Golden West Radio, Broadcast Dialogue magazine, CTV, Taylor Enterprises and Dan Burnett last year.
