News Releases

RTNDF to Honor Google, Roberts, Grant and Knight Foundation with First Amendment Awards

For Immediate Release:  March 11, 2009

Contact:  Stacey Staniak, 202-467-5214, staceys@rtnda.org

The Radio and Television News Directors Foundation will honor Google Inc., Cokie Roberts, Susan Grant and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation with First Amendment awards on Thursday, March 12.  The 19^th annual First Amendment Awards dinner will be emceed by Chris Matthews, host of Hardball on MSNBC.  The First Amendment Awards recognize and pay tribute to journalism professionals and organizations dedicated to upholding a free press and First Amendment freedoms. 

Eric Schmidt, Google chairman and CEO will accept the First Amendment Leadership Award on behalf of Google Inc. 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.” Judy Woodruff of the NewsHour will present the award.

Roberts, political commentator for ABC News and senior news analyst for NPR will receive the Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment award for her distinguished career as a radio reporter for NPR and reporter and analyst at ABC News.  Charles Gibson, anchor of World News and ABC News contributor Sam Donaldson will present the award to Roberts.

Grant, executive vice president of CNN News Services, will receive the First Amendment Service Award from Jack Womack, senior vice president of domestic news operations and administration for CNN/US.  Grant leads CNN Newsource Sales, CNN’s newsgathering and affiliate distribution arm. Under Grant’s leadership CNN Newsource Sales 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.

RTNDF will present a special First Amendment Award to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for its ongoing support of Sunshine Week and open government initiatives.  Knight Foundation president Alberto Ibargüen will accept the award from RTNDF president Barbara Cochran. 

The First Amendment Dinner is March 12 at the Ritz Carlton hotel, 1150 22nd Street NW, Washington. The reception starts at 6:30 followed by dinner at 7:30.  Contact Allyson McKithen at 202-312-1563 for ticket information.  Contact Stacey Staniak at 202-467-5214 for information about RTNDF.