RTDNF Announces 2016 First Amendment Award Honorees

Awards

The RADIO TELEVISION DIGITAL NEWS FOUNDATION has announced the honorees for its 2016 First Amendment Awards, to be handed out at a ceremony in WASHINGTON on MARCH 16th.

The First Amendment Award is being given to WASHINGTON POST reporter JASON REZAIAN, who has been held captive, convicted and sentenced for alleged espionage by IRAN since JULY 22, 2014, a case which has received international attention as his release is being negotiated.

The LEONARD ZEIDENBERG First Amendment Award is being bestowed upon CBS RADIO NEWS correspondent CAMI MCCORMICK, presently covering the State Department and Pentagon and notably the survivor of an IED blast while embedded in AFGHANISTAN in 2009.

The First Amendment Service Award is going to NPR's Executive Producer of Newscasts ROBERT GARCIA., a former Chairman of RTDNA and RTDNF.

The First Amendment Leadership Award is being given to SCRIPPS President/CEO RICH BOEHNE, who rose from reporter to the head of the company over 30 years.

The First Amendment Defender Award goes to the UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI's TIM TAI, the student journalist who was threatened with violence by students and a professor while trying to cover the student protests this FALL.

And the RTDNF Lifetime Achievement Award is being given to TOM BROKAW, who is being honored for his over 40 year career at NBC NEWS; he previously received the RTDNA's PAUL WHITE Award in 2002.

In addition, the event will honor WDBJ-TV/ROANOKE reporter ALISON PARKER and videographer ADAM WARD, who were murdered by a former co-worker while broadcasting a live remote feature in AUGUST.

"Supporting and defending the First Amendment requires bravery, integrity and perseverance," said RTDNF Chair AMY TARDIF. "Our honorees have demonstrated their commitment to press freedom, and their words and actions inspire us to follow their lead."

"Our Foundation is proud to recognize such distinguished champions of a free press," added said RTDNF Executive Director MIKE CAVENDER. "We honor their work and their dedication to preserve a cornerstone of our democracy."

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