TORONTO – On the eve of its annual awards gala, RTNDA Canada: The Association of Electronic Journalists has voted to change its name in order to adapt to the changes in the profession.
In a vote at its national conference this past weekend in Halifax, the membership agreed to change the acronym to include the word ‘Digital’. For the last 49 years, the acronym was short for Radio-Television News Directors Association. That will soon change to RTDNA, or Radio-Television Digital News Association – The Association of Electronic Journalists.
"Flipping those two letters, from ‘News Directors’ to ‘Digital News’ makes us more inclusive," said president Andy LeBlanc, in the announcement. "Whether we are the news director, a reporter, a student, or an educator, we are all striving to achieve the same outcome: superb electronic journalism. Digital technology means we are no longer limited to radio and television – electronic journalists are also online."
The membership amended articles in the association constitution to make all practicing electronic journalists voting members, (previously, only members who were news directors and news managers were eligible to vote on association matters), and revised its code of ethics to reflect the technology shifts that have affected electronic journalism.
The organization also handed out its annual awards in recognition of excellence in electronic journalism and are presented in a variety of categories to radio and TV networks and stations.
The 2010 National Radio winners
Byron MacGregor Award – Best Newscast
• CKBX Kamloops for B-100 Noon News – (Small Market)
• News Talk 980 CJME for Regina@Noon – (Medium Market)
• Newstalk 1010 for The 6 O’Clock News with Dave Agar – (Large Market)
Charlie Edwards Award – Spot News
• CBC News for Christmas Marketplace Explosion
Dan McArthur Award – In-depth/Investigative
• 580 CFRA for Ottawa’s On Street Prostitution Crisis
• CBC Radio for The Big Split in Nackawic – (Honourable Mention)
Dave Rogers Award – Short Feature
• CBC Fredericton for Text-ed – (Small Market)
• CBC Sudbury for Suicide Watch – (Medium Market)
• CBC Edmonton for Back of the Class – (Large Market)
• News 1130 for On the Offbeat – (Large Market – Honourable Mention)
Dave Rogers Award – Long Feature
• CBC Prince George – Positively Alive: HIV in Northern British Columbia – (Small Market)
• CBC Cape Breton for Test of Faith – (Medium Market)
• CBC Calgary for Gaston can live with us – (Large Market)
Gord Sinclair Award – Live Special Events
• CBC Radio Edmonton for Grey Cup Edmonton
Ron Laidlaw Award – Continuing Coverage
• Newstalk 1010 for The G20 Weekend in Toronto
• CBC Radio One for Pipe Dreams – (Honourable Mention)
Sam Ross Award – Editorial/Commentary
• Global Edmonton for Cookie Monster
Best Use of Sound Award
• CBC Cape Breton for Leblanc Smith Alderwood Animal Visit
• CBC Radio One for Dog Sled Rescue on the Gold Rush Trail – (Honourable Mention)
Peter Gzowski Award – News Information Program
• News 88.9 for Clifford Olson – Pension Plea
Adrienne Clarkson Award – Diversity
• CBC Radio One 99.1 for Turning Point Town Hall – Beyond Stereotypes of Family Violence in South Asian Communities
Use of New Media Award
• CBC Newfoundland & Labrador for Hurricane Igor
• 680 News for www.680news.com – (Honourable Mention)
The 2010 National Television winners:
Bert Cannings Award – Best Newscast
• CFJC TV Kamloops for CFJC Evening News – (Small Market)
• /A\ News Barrie for /A\ News at 6 – (Medium Market)
• Global Toronto for G20 Summit – (Large Market)
• CTV British Columbia for CTV News at Six – (Large Market – Honourable Mention)
Charlie Edwards Award – Spot News
• Citytv for Barrie Missing Boys
Dan McArthur Award – In-depth/Investigative
• CBC Newfoundland & Labrador for Kids in Care
Dave Rogers Award – Short Feature
• CKPG TV for CKPG News – (Small Market)
• CTV Atlantic for In Our Backyard – (Medium Market)
• Global Calgary for Miracle Reunion – (Large Market)
Dave Rogers Award – Long Feature
• CHAT TV, Medicine Hat for The Forgotten War: 65 Years Later – (Small Market)
• CTV Saskatoon for Higher Calling – (Medium Market)
• Global BC for Beyond Fair Trade – (Large Market)
Gord Sinclair Award – Special Events
• CP24 for Your Vote
Ron Laidlaw Award – Continuing Coverage
• Global Edmonton for Maddox Flynn
Hugh Haugland Award – Creative Use of Video
• CTV British Columbia for Irish Pride
Trina McQueen Award – News Information Program
• Global Toronto for Focus Ontario: A Piece of Myself
Adrienne Clarkson Award – Diversity
• Radio-Canada Acadie for Les gais dans les Forces canadiennes: un parcours difficile
The 2010 Network Radio winners:
Byron MacGregor Award – Best Newscast
• CBC Radio News for World at Six
Charlie Edwards Award – Spot News
• The Canadian Press for Pardon for a Pedophile
Dan McArthur – In-depth/Investigative
• CBC News for Fake Job, Failed Dreams
Dave Rogers Award – Short Feature
• CBC News for Amanda’s Story
Dave Rogers Award – Long Feature
• CBC News for Bringing Down the Barricades on C’est La Vie
Ron Laidlaw Award – Continuing Coverage
• CBC News for From Commander to Convict, The Russell Williams Story
Best Use of Sound Award
• CBC News for Bangkok Bloodshed
Peter Gzowski Award – News Information Program
• CBC Radio One for The Main Ingredient
Adrienne Clarkson Award – Diversity
• CBC Radio for The Paralympics, Betsy Trumpener
The 2010 Network Television winners:
Bert Cannings Award – Best Newscast
• CBC News: The National for October 20, 2010
Charlie Edwards Award – Spot News
• CTV Toronto for G20: A Summit of Violent Protests
Dan McArthur Award – In-depth/Investigative
• CBC News: The National for Risking it All
• Global National for ALS – (Honourable Mention)
• 16:9 The Bigger Picture for Energy Drinks – (Honourable Mention)
Dave Rogers Award – Short Feature
• CTV National News for Praying for Help
Dave Rogers Award – Long Feature
• CBC News: The National for Getting Away with Murder
• CTV for Voices of Courage – (Honourable Mention)
Gord Sinclair Award – Special Events
• Global National for Canada Remembers
• CBC for The Queen in Canada (Honourable Mention)
Ron Laidlaw Award – Continuing Coverage
• Global National for Russell Williams Case
Best Use of New Media Award
• CBC News for www.cbcnews.ca
Hugh Haugland Award – Creative Use of Video
• 16:9 The Bigger Picture for Field of Dreams
Trina McQueen Award – News Information Program
• CTV W5 for Episode 6 – Leave It To Bieber & Nightmare on Quebec Street
• 16:9 The Bigger Picture for Worry Lines – (Honourable Mention)
Adrienne Clarkson Award – Diversity
• CBC News: The National for Surviving the Survivors
