June 20, 2005

Contact:
Melanie Hall
Finance and Administration Manager
UNITY
(703) 854-3585
e-mail

Sarah Stump
Managing Editor, Communicator
Radio-Television News Directors Association
1600 K Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20006
202.467.5256 (phone)
202.223.4007 (fax)
www.rtnda.org

RTNDA Names Winners of RTNDA/UNITY Awards: News Organizations That Celebrate Diversity

WASHINGTON — The Radio-Television News Directors Association has announced the winners of the 6th Annual RTNDA/UNITY Awards.

The RTNDA/UNITY Award was developed by RTNDA and UNITY: Journalists of Color, as part of their commitment to achieve diversity in the newsroom through developing news content and editorial staffs that reflect the changing face of America.

Five news organizations are being recognized for their ongoing commitment to covering the cultural diversity of the communities they serve.

Television

ABC News, New York, for “ABC News 20/20: The Name Game” (network)

KCBS-TV, Los Angeles, for “The Mendez Case” (large market)

WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC, for “The Heritage” (small market)

Radio

National Public Radio, Washington, for “Brown vs. Board of Education” (network)

WFAE-FM, Charlotte, NC, for “Trust Matters” Series (large market)

The awards will be presented at the RTNDA Awards Dinner on October 17, 2005, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York. For information about reserving a table, contact Rich Harless at 800.80.RTNDA or rich@rtnda.org.

UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. is a strategic alliance advocating fair and accurate news coverage about people of color, and aggressively challenging the industry to staff its organizations at all levels to reflect the nation’s diversity.

RTNDA is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTNDA represents local and network news professionals in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries.

# # #

About UNITY: Journalists of Color
UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. is a strategic alliance advocating news coverage about people of color, and aggressively challenging its organizations at all levels to reflect the nation’s diversity. UNITY, representing more than 10,000 journalists of color, is comprised of four national associations: Asian American Journalists Association, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Native American Journalists Association.

In addition to planning the largest regular gathering of journalists in the nation, UNITY develops programs and institutional relationships that promote its mission. For more information on UNITY, visit www.unityjournalists.org, email info@unityjournalists.org or call (703) 854-3585.