TORONTO – CBC News’ Terry Milewski and Corus Entertainment’s Charles Adler are the inaugural recipients of Lifetime Achievement Awards for Network Programming by RTDNA Canada.
The association said Thursday that after receiving a number of outstanding nominations from across Canada, it became evident that there are individuals who don’t fit within the category of a regional award because their work transcends such boundaries.
“These two remarkable individuals have each dedicated more than 30 years to excellence in broadcast journalism and truly represent the spirit of what the Lifetime Achievement Award means”, said RTDNA president Ian Koenigsfest, in the announcement. “… the new network category finally acknowledges those journalists whose work is on a national platform and Terry and Charles are outstanding choices to launch this category.”
After reporting from 52 countries, Milewski (pictured right) has left an indelible mark on his craft, his colleagues, the CBC, and the people of Canada. His probing coverage of the Air India bombing represents one of his greatest contributions to the craft of journalism. The families of the victims of the bombing may not have had justice nor closure but Milewski has relentlessly pursued the details of what happened to that flight and kept the stories of those victims and their families in the minds of Canadians for three decades.
“During a career of four-plus decades that saw Terry posted in Edmonton with CITV, and with CBC in Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Jerusalem, Washington, and Vancouver, he personified the unflinching CBC correspondent who fearlessly and relentlessly pursued facts”, added CBC News GM and editor in chief Jennifer McGuire. “If that struck fear in the merchants of bafflegab, that suited Terry quite keenly.”
Adler (pictured below) grew up in Montreal, where he started his broadcast career at CKGM Montreal in 1973, and over the next 25 years hosted top-rated shows in Montreal, Hamilton, London, Winnipeg, Toronto and Calgary. A move to the U.S. saw him host a nationally syndicated radio show out of Tampa that hit more than 120 markets. In 1994 he launched a television show called Adler on Line in Boston which earned him an Emmy Award. In 2004, based out of CJOB, Corus Radio launched Charles Adler nationally across 14 radio stations for more than eight years. He has also hosted national television programs in Canada, including the current affairs show Global Sunday. In 2016, Adler returned in a national role on Corus stations from CKNW in Vancouver.
“There are few names in talk radio more iconic than Charles Adler”, said Troy Reeb, Corus’ SVP of news, radio and station operations. “His depth of knowledge and relentless quest for answers have made him a hit with listeners for more than 30 years. Whether or not you agree with him, Charles stands out for being both courteous and fair. He has earned the respect of leaders from across the political spectrum, and the admiration of his peers across North America.”
Milewski and Adler will receive their awards during the Awards Gala Dinner on May 27 at the close of the 2017 National Conference & Awards Gala.
