CTV Atlantic takes home six journalism awards

CTV Atlantic at RTDNA awards

CTV Atlantic won six prizes at this year’s RTDNA Awards, including best newscast for Steve Murphy and his team on the CTV News at Six. The broadcast from April 2013, began with an exclusive one-on-one interview with Leah Parsons who shared the shocking details of her daughter Rehtaeh's alleged rape and subsequent death.

The news team was also recognized for its continuing coverage of the Rehtaeh Parsons story.  The 17-year-old captured the nation’s attention and occupied the headlines for many months. Her parent’s efforts subsequently lead to changes in our anti-bully laws.

The newsroom also picked up the Gord Sinclair Award for Live Special Event for its coverage of the Nova Scotia Election in October 2013.  Not only was there a change in government but for the first time in the province’s history, a previously-elected government would not get a second term.  CTV Atlantic’s election team was the first media outlet to declare a Liberal majority government at 8:59 pm AT, well ahead of the rest of the pack.

Many Maritimers remember the one-on-one interview Steve Murphy did with the Hallidays.  Phillip Halliday had been tossed into a Spanish jail when the captain and crew of the European freighter he was working on were suspected of drug running. Halliday almost died in that jail before his wife’s efforts resulted in his freedom.  The heart-wrenching chat earned Murphy the Dave Rogers Long Feature Award.

CTV News at Five, co-hosted by Maria Panopalis and Bruce Frisko, won the award for Best Television News Information Program for a live broadcast from a senior’s home one week before Christmas. The idea came from a hand-written letter from the self-proclaimed mayor of the home, Mary Bernadette Wallworth. It turned out to be one of the best remote shows of the year.

The Adrienne Clarkson Award for Diversity was given to “Pride of Place - Discovering our Heritage” a piece produced for the CTV News at Five by Kelland Sundahl. Her assignment was to cover an Aboriginal Day celebration last summer. She skillfully wove past and present against the beautiful backdrop of Nova Scotia’s South Shore to capture the pride of place the Mi’kmaq occupy in the province.

Long-time CTV reporter Rick Grant was also honoured with a life-time achievement award from the RTDNA.  Rick has broken scores of important news stories across Atlantic Canada and continues to do so today as the senior reporter at CTV Atlantic.

The RTDNA awards were handed out Saturday night at Nova Scotia Community College in Dartmouth.  The awards celebrate the best in journalism in Atlantic Canada.