News Releases
RTNDF to Honor Google, CNN’s Susan Grant and Cokie Roberts of ABC and NPR with First Amendment Awards
Contact: Stacey Staniak, 202-467-5214 or staceys@rtnda.org
For Immediate Release: December 11, 2008
RTNDF to Honor Google, CNN’s Susan Grant and Cokie Roberts of ABC and NPR with First Amendment Awards
Washington—The Radio and Television News Directors Foundation will honor two news leaders and the world’s largest Internet search engine company at its First Amendment Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 12, in Washington. The honorees are:
• Google, Inc., Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO, accepting
• Susan Grant, executive vice president of CNN News Services
• Cokie Roberts, political commentator for ABC News and senior news analyst for NPR
Google will receive the First Amendment Leadership Award, presented to a business or government leader who has made a significant contribution to protecting freedom of the press. Under Eric Schmidt’s leadership, Google has been recognized as world's most successful Internet search engine company, which states that its mission is “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” Google makes it possible for electronic journalists to gather information quickly and transmit their stories instantly.
Roberts will receive the Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award, named for the late senior Washington correspondent for Broadcasting & Cable magazine. Roberts is an Edward R. Murrow winner and Emmy recipient with a wealth of experience in local and network radio and television as well as a newspaper columnist. She is the author of the national bestseller "We Are Our Mother's Daughters," as well as "Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation." She has generously shared her time and talent with the journalism community, both publicly as mistress of ceremonies at industry events and privately as a mentor to young people, especially women, launching their careers.
Grant will be honored with the First Amendment Service Award, which is presented to someone of distinction who works in an off-air, management capacity. During Grant’s tenure, CNN developed new and stronger collaborations with its affiliate partners. CNN Newsource Sales, CNN’s newsgathering and affiliate distribution arm, grew from 250 local news stations to more than 800 today, securing critical access to breaking news footage no matter where it breaks across North America. CNN Radio, the company’s 24/7 live news radio network, adds to the reach with about 2,000 affiliates worldwide. Susan oversaw the creation of CNN’s interactive journalism website, which has evolved into iReport.com and has become an important source of citizen reporting, especially in breaking news situations.
The awards will be presented and the honorees will make remarks at the 19th annual First Amendment Awards Dinner on March 12, 2009, in Washington, DC. The dinner raises funds for RTNDF’s activities in support of First Amendment freedoms and journalistic excellence. RTNDF provides training, research and scholarship aid for professional and aspiring electronic journalists. More than 600 people attend the dinner each year.
For information about attending the First Amendment Awards Dinner, visit RTNDF.org or contact Allyson McKithen at 202.312.1563.
RTNDF provides training programs, seminars, scholarship support and research in areas of critical concern to electronic news professionals and their audience. The foundation’s work is supported by contributions from foundations, corporations, members of RTNDA and other individuals.
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