News Releases

RTDNF Announces Presenters and Emcee for 20th Annual First Amendment Awards Dinner

CONTACT: Stacey Staniak, 202.467.5214 or staceys@rtdna.org
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 2010

WASHINGTON— The Radio Television Digital News Foundation will honor news leaders for their commitment to the First Amendment and excellence in journalism at the 20th Annual First Amendment Awards Dinner on Thursday, March 4, 2010 in Washington. The presenters, honorees and emcee are:

•    David J. Barrett, president & CEO, Hearst Television Inc. will present the First Amendment Award to Marcellus Alexander, president, NABEF and the NABEF.

•    Steve Capus, president, NBC News will present the Leonard Zeidenberg Award to Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor, NBC Nightly News. 

•    Walter Isaacson, president and CEO, Aspen Institute will present the First Amendment Leadership Award to David Westin, president, ABC News.

•    Andrea Mitchell, chief foreign affairs correspondent, NBC News and host, Andrea Mitchell Reports will present the First Amendment Award to Barbara Cochran, RTDNA president emeritus.

•    Bob Schieffer, chief Washington correspondent, CBS News and anchor, Face The Nation will present the First Amendment Service Award to Harvey Nagler, vice president, CBS News, Radio.

•    Leon Harris, anchor, WJLA-TV, Washington, DC will emcee the First Amendment Awards Dinner.

The awards will be presented and the honorees will make remarks at the dinner, which is attended by about 400 people each year. The black-tie event will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 1150 22nd Street NW, Washington.

To purchase sponsorships, tables or tickets, contact Stacey Staniak at 202-467-5214.

RTDNF is supported solely through contributions from corporations and individuals and grants from foundations who share the same values and vision – to produce quality journalism. RTDNF is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. A portion of the dinner ticket is tax-deductible.

Information about the First Amendment Awards is available here.

RTDNF provides training programs, seminars, scholarship support and research in areas of critical concern to electronic news professionals and their audience.