CBC Edmonton Wins Four National RTDNA Awards for Excellence

BREAKING: CBC Edmonton journalists have just been awarded four prestigious national awards by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Canada. The accolades were presented during a gala event in Toronto on Saturday night, highlighting the newsroom’s outstanding contributions to journalism.

This recognition is particularly important as it underscores the resilience and creativity of CBC Edmonton in reporting critical stories. Among the honors, the newsroom secured a Breaking News award for its exceptional coverage of the Jasper wildfire, which prompted mass evacuations in July 2024.

In addition to the Breaking News award, CBC Edmonton also earned accolades for Continuing Coverage in the multiplatform category and Opinion as well as an Excellence in Editing award in the audio category. Stephanie Coombs, CBC Edmonton’s Director of Journalism and Programming, stated,

“It’s always thrilling to be recognized. These awards represent the breadth and quality of the journalism being done in our newsroom.”

The awards highlight the best in television, radio, and digital media. CBC Edmonton’s coverage of the Jasper wildfire, which saw the townsite evacuated, was recognized for its enterprise and creativity in reporting a major breaking news event. The newsroom produced a series of impactful articles, including:

– “Wildfire that forced evacuation of Jasper National Park now within 12 km of townsite”
– “Thousands of tourists among those forced to flee Jasper National Park due to wildfire threat”
– “Aggressive fire behaviour led to sudden evacuation of Jasper, Parks Canada says”
– “Buildings in Jasper in ashes as ‘monster’ wildfire spans 36,000 hectares”

Additionally, CBC Edmonton journalists received the Continuing Coverage award for their extensive reporting on the aftermath of the wildfire and its effects on the community. Coombs emphasized the significance of this coverage, stating,

“To receive two awards in particular for our coverage of the catastrophic Jasper wildfire and its aftermath underscores the significance of that important coverage.”

The opinion award was won by Emily Williams for her poignant audio piece titled ‘Pieces of my heart are still in Afghanistan.’ This emotional interview sheds light on the experiences of Zefnoon Safi, a former Afghan parliament member who fled to Canada after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Williams’ work provided critical editorial commentary on a pressing humanitarian topic.

In the audio category, Tanara McLean was recognized for her Excellence in Editing with her piece ‘Birdsong: Edmonton’s quiet soundtrack.’ This engaging work features vibrant natural soundscapes and expert commentary from Chris Rees, showcasing the beauty of Edmonton’s avian life.

This remarkable achievement not only reflects the dedication of CBC Edmonton’s journalists but also their commitment to delivering important stories that resonate with the community. As the newsroom continues to cover the ongoing recovery efforts in Jasper and other pressing issues, these awards serve as a testament to their hard work and journalistic integrity.

Stay tuned for further updates and coverage as CBC Edmonton continues to bring vital stories to the forefront.