The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA, pronounced the same as "
rotunda"), formerly the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA), is a
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
-based membership organization of radio, television, and online news directors, producers, executives, reporters, students and educators. Among its functions are the maintenance of journalistic ethics and the preservation of the free speech rights of broadcast journalists.
The RTDNA is known for the
Edward R. Murrow Award, given annually since 1971 for excellence in electronic journalism, and the
Paul White Award, presented annually since 1956 as its highest award, for lifetime achievement.
History
The RTDNA was founded in 1946 (as the National Association of Radio News Editors) as an industry group to set standards for the nascent field of broadcast journalism, and to defend the
First Amendment
First or 1st is the ordinal form of the number one (#1).
First or 1st may also refer to:
*World record, specifically the first instance of a particular achievement
Arts and media Music
* 1$T, American rapper, singer-songwriter, DJ, and rec ...
in instances where broadcast media was being threatened. It adopted its current name in early 2010.
Murrow famously gave a speech at an RTNDA event held in his honor in 1958. The speech was harshly critical of the network television establishment of the day, and its emphasis on popular entertainment rather than news and public affairs programming. This speech was the cornerstone of the plot of the 2005 motion picture ''
Good Night, and Good Luck
''Good Night, and Good Luck'' (stylized as ''good night, and good luck.'') is a 2005 historical drama film about American television news directed by George Clooney, with the movie starring David Strathairn, Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels, Ro ...
''.
Awards
Reporting Awards
Edward R. Murrow Awards The Edward R. Murrow Award may refer to one of several awards named after American journalist Edward R. Murrow:
* Edward R. Murrow Award (Corporation for Public Broadcasting), given out to individuals in public radio since 1977
* Edward Murrow Awa ...
The Radio Television Digital News Association has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. Murrow's pursuit of excellence in journalism embodies the spirit of the awards that carry his name. Murrow Award recipients demonstrate the excellence that Edward R. Murrow made a standard for the electronic news profession
Kaleidoscope Awards (formerly UNITY Awards)
RTDNA honors outstanding achievements in the coverage of diversity with the Kaleidoscope Awards The award was developed as part of RTDNA's commitment to achieve diversity in the newsroom through developing news content and editorial staffs that reflect the changing face of communities. The purpose of the award is to encourage and showcase journalistic excellence in covering issues of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity. It is presented annually to news organizations that show an ongoing commitment to covering the diversity of the communities they serve.
NEFE Personal Finance Reporting Award
The Radio Television Digital News Association and the National Endowment for Financial Education work together to honor the very best in personal finance reporting.
The award is presented as part of the Money Matters resource. Money Matters is a tool to help journalists better cover stories about financial issues on television, radio and online. One television, radio, and online journalist each receive a $1,000 prize and an invitation to present at the Excellence in Journalism conference.
Gannett Foundation Al Neuharth Award for Investigative Journalism
The Radio Television Digital News Association partners with the Gannett Foundation to honor the very best in investigative reporting. The award recognizes groundbreaking work by a journalist or a staff that creatively used digital tools in the role of being a community's watchdog. Special consideration is given to journalism that helps a community understand and address important issues. The winner receives a $5,000 prize awarded at the Excellence in Journalism conference.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Paul White Award
Named for the first news director of CBS, the Paul White Award is RTDNA's highest honor and recognizes an individual's lifetime contributions to electronic journalism. The Paul White Award is presented annually at the Excellence in Journalism conference and exhibition.
*2021 Susan Zirinsky
*2020 Byron Pitts
*2019 Scott Pelley
*2018 Bill Whitaker
*2016 Charlie Rose
*2015 Lesley Stahl
*2014 Dick Ebersol
*2013 Chris Wallace
*2012 Jeff Fager
*2011 Linda Ellerbee
*2010 Steve Kroft
*2009 Fred Young
*2008 Sam Donaldson and Tim Russert (posthumously)
*2007 Christiane Amanpour
*2006 Charles Gibson
*2005 Charles Osgood
*2004 Ted Koppel
*2003 Bob Schieffer
*2002 Tom Brokaw
*2001 Jim McKay
*2000 Ed Bradley
*1999 Tom Johnson
*1998 Jane Pauley
*1997 Dan Rather
*1996 Bernard Shaw
*1995 Peter Jennings
*1994 Charles Kuralt
*1993 Ed Bliss
*1992 Paul Harvey
*1991 Mike Wallace
*1990 Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer
*1989 R.E. "Ted" Turner
*1988 Douglas Edwards
*1987 Don Hewitt
*1986 Fred Friendly
*1985 Barbara Walters
*1984 Ralph Renick
*1983 John Chancellor
*1982 David Brinkley
*1981 Walter Cronkite
*1980 Pauline Frederick
*1979 Dick Salant
*1978 Bill Monroe
*1977 Eric Sevareid
*1976 Ted Koop
*1975 Elmer Lower
*1974 Bill Small
*1973 Julian Goodman
*1972 Sam Ervin
*1971 Dr. Frank Stanton
*1970 Walter Cronkite
*1969 Judge Herbert B. Walker
*1968 W. Theodore Pierson
*1967 Sol Taishoff
*1966 Morley Safer
*1965 Ralph Blumberg
*1964 Edward R. Murrow
*1962 Howard K. Smith
*1961 John F. Kennedy
*1959 Jim Hagerty
*1958 Robert D. Swezey
*1957 Dr. Frank Stanton
*1956 Hugh Terry
John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award
Named for the founder and first president of RTNDA, the John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual's contributions to the journalism profession and freedom of the press. The award is presented annually at the Excellence in Journalism conference and exhibition.
*2021 Soledad O'Brien
*2020 Yamiche Alcindor
*2019 John Quiñones
*2018 Pete Williams
*2017 Jake Tapper
*2015 Pierre Thomas
*2014 Harvey Nagler
*2013 Belva Davis
*2012 Jorge Ramos
*2011 Lara Logan
*2010 Bob Priddy
*2009 Barbara Cochran
*2006 Christopher Glenn
*2005 Don Fitzpatrick
*2000 Stanley S. Hubbard, Jack Shelley
*1999 Hugh Downs
*1997 Walter Cronkite
*1996 Sherlee Barish
*1992 Terry Anderson
*1991 Brian Lamb,
Ed Godfrey
Milton Edwin “Ed” Godfrey, Jr (February 4, 1931 – June 18, 2019) was an American television journalist, an innovative, award-winning, multi-market television news producer and news director who also served as a director-at-large and presid ...
, Bob Packwood, John Spain
*1989 Gordon Manning, Dick Yoakum
*1988 Vernon Stone
*1987 Malvin Goode, J. Laurent Scharff
*1986 Robert Byrd, Mark Fowler
*1985 Ron Laidlaw
*1984 Paul Davis
*1983 Sig Mickelson
*1981 Len Allen
*1980 John Salisbury
*1979 Rob Downey
*1978 Col. Barney Oldfield
*1974 Gordon Sinclair
*1971 Charlie Edwards
*1967 Ted Yates
*1964 Robert Kintner
*1962 David Sarnoff
*1959 Frank Stanton
First Amendment Awards
The RTDNF First Amendment Awards honor individuals and organizations for their work on behalf of First Amendment freedom. They are presented annually at a gala in Washington, DC.
First Amendment Leadership Award
RTDNF presents this award annually to a business or government leader who has made a significant contribution to the protection of the First Amendment and freedom of the press.
*2019 David Begnaud
*2018 Gretchen Carlson
*2017 Stanley S. Hubbard and Stanley E. Hubbard
*2016 Rich Boehne
*2015 Kathy Kirby
*2014 David Lougee
*2013 Robert Decherd
*2012 Steve Capus
*2011 David Barrett
*2010 David Westin
*2009 Google, Inc.
*2008 Tom Curley
*2007 Roger Ailes
*2006 Hurricane Katrina Station Groups:
• Belo Corp. (WWL-TV)
• Clear Channel Broadcasting (WBUV-FM, WKNN-FM, WMJY-FM, WQYZ-FM, KHEV-FM, WNOE-FM, WODT-AM, WQUE-FM and WYLD-AM/FM)
• Emmis Communications (WVUE-TV)
• Entercom Communications (WWL-AM)
• Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc. (WDSU-TV)
• Liberty Corporation (WLOX-TV) and
• Tribune Broadcasting (WGNO-TV)
*2005 Jim Keelor
*2004 Charles Grassley and Patrick Leahy
*2003 Floyd Abrams
*2002 Katharine Graham
*2001 Don Hewitt
*2000 R. E. "Ted" Turner
*1999 Bob Wright
*1998 Roone Arledge
*1997 Robert L. Johnson
*1996 Howard Stringer
*1995 Tom Johnson
*1994 James Quello
*1993 Frank Stanton
*1992 Allen Neuharth
Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award
RTDNF presents this award annually to a radio or television journalist or news executive who has made a major contribution to the protection of First Amendment freedoms. It is named for the late Broadcasting & Cable senior correspondent, Leonard Zeidenberg.
*2019 Shepard Smith
*2018 Joe Scarborough & Mika Brzezinski
*2017 Bill Whitaker
*2016 Cami McCormick
*2015 Ann Compton
*2014 Lester Holt
*2013 Candy Crowley
*2012 Martha Raddatz
*2011 Wolf Blitzer
*2010 Brian Williams
*2009 Cokie Roberts
*2008 Bob Schieffer
*2007 Bob Woodruff and Kimberly Dozier
*2006 Gwen Ifill
*2005 Ed Bradley
*2004 Andrea Mitchell
*2003 Judy Woodruff
*2002 Sam Donaldson
*2001 Jim Lehrer
*2000 Diane Sawyer
*1999 Christiane Amanpour
*1998 Mike Wallace
*1997 Jane Pauley
*1996 Carole Simpson
*1995 Walter Cronkite
*1994 David Brinkley
*1993 John Chancellor
*1992 James Snyder
First Amendment Service Award
This award honors professionals in local or network news who work in an off-air, management, largely behind-the-scenes capacity.
*2019 James Goldston
*2018 David Rhodes
*2017 Steve Jones
*2016 Robert Garcia
*2015 Perry Sook
*2014 Robin Sproul
*2013 Lloyd Siegel
*2012 Marci Burdick
*2011 Susana Schuler
*2010 Harvey Nagler
*2009 Susan Grant
*2008 Paula Madison
*2007 Philip Balboni
*2006 William Wheatley
*2005 Wendy Walker Whitworth
*2004 Walter Ulloa
*2003 Susan Zirinsky
*2002 Fred Young
*2001 Gary Wordlaw
*2000 Lee Giles
*1999 Marty Haag
*1998 Betty Cole Dukert
First Amendment Award
This award honors an outstanding individual or organization which champions the First Amendment and press freedoms.
*2019 CNN
*2018 Meet the Press
*2017 Mark Halperin and John Heilemann
*2016 Jason Rezaian
*2015 James Risen
*2014 The Associated Press
*2013 Twitter
*2012 Jim Bohannon
*2010 Barbara Cochran & Marcellus Alexander
*2009 John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
*2008 Richard Wiley
First Amendment Clarity Award
This award recognizes a journalist or group of journalists who go to extraordinary lengths to provide meaning and context to complicated news stories or issues of extreme public importance.
*2019 NBC News/MSNBC 2019 “Road Warriors
First Amendment Defender Award
This award is presented to an individual or organization who takes a public stand in support of press freedom.
*2019 Senator
Amy Klobuchar
Amy Jean Klobuchar ( ; born May 25, 1960) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the senior United States senator from Minnesota, a seat she has held since 2007. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Minne ...
*2018 Congressman Eric Swalwell
*2016 Tim Tai
RTDNF Citation of Courage
This award is presented in recognition of distinguished service to journalism and extraordinary courage.
*2019 Jamal Khashoggi
*2019 Journalists of the Capital Gazette
*2015 James Foley
*2015 Steven Sotloff
RTDNF Lifetime Achievement Award
*2019 Dale Hansen
*2018 Robin Roberts
*2017 Nina Totenberg
*2016 Tom Brokaw
*2015 Bob Simon
*2014 Bill Plante
*2012 Andy Rooney
Internal Awards
Barney Oldfield Distinguished Service Award
The Barney Oldfield Distinguished Service Award was created in honor of RTDNF founder Col. Barney Oldfield, USAF (Ret.), and goes annually to an individual who, through their own efforts, has contributed to the growth and success of RTDNF.
Bob Priddy Award
Bob Priddy, one of RTDNA's most distinguished board members over 27 years of service stepped down in 2010. At RTDNA@NAB 2010, Priddy was honored with the newly introduced Bob Priddy award, which is now presented annually to board members who exemplify Priddy's distinguished and consistent service to RTDNA
Rob Downey Citation
The Rob Downey Citation is presented annually at RTDNA's International Conference and Exhibition. Named for the first executive secretary of RTDNA, the Rob Downey Citation recognizes exceptional service to the RTDNA board of directors.
Code of Ethics
The RTDNA Code of Ethics does not dictate what journalists should do in every ethical predicament; rather it offers resources to help journalists make better ethical decisions – on and off the job – for themselves and for the communities they serve.
The Code's guiding principles are truth and accuracy above all, independence and transparency, and accountability for consequences.
The RTDNA Code of ethics was most recently revised June 11, 2015.
Coverage Guidelines
RTDNA has also developed a series of coverage guidelines to assist journalists, newsroom managers and station management with both common and uncommon ethical and operational situations which may arise. The guidelines have been prepared by journalists, managers and subject-area experts, and have been vetted by the RTDNA Ethics Committee.
Training
The RTDNA and the
Radio Television Digital News Foundation
Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitt ...
offer training opportunities to broadcast and digital journalists and students as well as to newsroom managers through resources including:
*Leadership Guides
*Crisis Planning Guides
*The Diversity Toolkit
*Ed Talks
*Periodic webinars
*Expert articles in the Daily Communicator e-newsletter
*Annual Excellence in Journalism conference
Journalism Scholarships and Fellowships
RTDNA's educational and philanthropic arm, the
Radio Television Digital News Foundation
Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitt ...
, recognizes outstanding students and young professionals pursuing careers in electronic journalism with a number of scholarships and fellowships offered each year.
Scholarships for Graduate and Undergraduate Students:
* The
Ed Bradley
Edward Rudolph Bradley Jr. (June 22, 1941 – November 9, 2006) was an American broadcast journalist and news anchor. He was best known for his reporting on ''60 Minutes'' and CBS News.
Bradley began his journalism career as a radio news repo ...
Scholarship
* The
Carole Simpson
Carole Simpson (born December 7, 1940) is an American broadcast journalist, news anchor, and author. She is the first African-American woman to anchor a major United States network newscast.
Education and career
Simpson, a graduate of the Uni ...
Scholarship
* The
Pete Wilson (broadcaster)
Peter James Wilson (April 5, 1945 – July 20, 2007) was an American broadcaster born in Wisconsin. For more than 20 years prior to his death, he worked in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was not related to the former California governor of the ...
Scholarship for students from the
Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, often referred to as simply the Bay Area, is a populous region surrounding the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun Bay estuaries in Northern California. The Bay Area is defined by the Association of Bay Area Gov ...
* The Lee Thornton Scholarship (preference given to
Howard University
Howard University (Howard) is a private, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and accredited by the Middle States Commissi ...
and
University of Maryland
The University of Maryland, College Park (University of Maryland, UMD, or simply Maryland) is a public land-grant research university in College Park, Maryland. Founded in 1856, UMD is the flagship institution of the University System of M ...
students.
* The Presidents Scholarship in recognition of past RTDNA Presidents
* The Lou and Carole Prato Sports Reporting Scholarship
* The George Foreman Tribute to Lyndon B. Johnson Scholarship for students at the
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas. It was founded in 1883 and is the oldest institution in the University of Texas System. With 40,916 undergraduate students, 11,075 ...
* The Mike Reynolds Scholarship
* The Abe Schechter Scholarship for graduate students (fund now retired)
Fellowships for Young Professionals (with fewer than 10 years as a professional journalist):
RTDNA Fellowship Information
/ref>
* The N.S. Bienstock
N.S. Bienstock, Inc. is a large television talent agency in the United States, representing more than 600 television personalities. Ranked among the Top 10 of TV's most powerful, the group represents clients ranging from Dan Rather and Chris Mat ...
Fellowship
* The Michele Clark
Michele E. Clark (June 2, 1943 — December 8, 1972) was an American journalist. She was the first African-American woman to be a television correspondent for CBS News. As a correspondent at WBBM-TV she covered the 1972 Democratic Party president ...
Fellowship
* The Vadna and Colonel Barney Oldfield National Security Reporting Fellowship
* The Jacque I. Minnotte Health Reporting Fellowship
References
External links
*{{Official website, http://www.rtdna.org
Television organizations in the United States
Radio organizations in the United States
American journalism organizations
Journalism-related professional associations
Professional associations based in the United States
1946 establishments in the United States
Organizations established in 1946
501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations
Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.