CTV News Calgary wins 2022 RTDNA Prairie Region Award
CTV News Calgary wins 2022 RTDNA Prairie Region Award
The Radio Television Digital News Association has recognized CTV News Calgary with a RTDNA Prairie Region Award.
RTDNA Canada Awards honour the best journalists, programs, stations and newsgathering organizations in the categories of video, audio and digital.
In 2022, CTV News Calgary was named as a finalist in four categories:
- Excellence in Innovation (sponsored by Dejero) - Stephanie Thomas' self-administered COVID-19 rapid antigen test during a live broadcast;
- Breaking News (Large market) - Coverage of dangerous grass fires;
- News – Live Special Events - Civic Election 2021; and
- TV Newscast (Large Market) - CTV Calgary News at Six.
On Tuesday, the RTDNA announced the winners, including CTV's Stephanie Thomas for her live report explaining how to administer a COVID-19 test.
"Two days before the Alberta government was set to distribute free rapid COVID-19 antigen tests, we wanted to inform viewers about the plan, and demonstrate how to use the tests, in an innovative and creative way," explained Jeff Little, director of news & public affairs, CTV Television - Calgary.
"So following her report that included the health minister, a pharmacist and infectious disease specialist, reporter Stephanie Thomas tested herself, live, in her kitchen."
Little said Thomas and videographer Vasco Maria staged, practiced and choreographed the demonstration so it would be easy to understand and engaging.
"We followed up with another live segment, where the reporter revealed that her test came back negative."
Speaking about win, Little said it was a segment that helped viewers in a time when they really needed it.
"To see the time and effort recognized by the RTDNA is very fulfilling."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Some emergency rooms across Canada shutting down amid staff shortages
Hospitals overwhelmed by the pandemic’s onslaught are still facing a number of challenges, causing unprecedented wait times in emergency rooms across the country.

'Defeated and discouraged': Airport frustrations sour Canadians' summer travel plans
CTVNews.ca asked Canadians to share their travel horror stories as cancelled flights, delays and lost luggage throw a wrench in Canadians' summer travel plans, due in part to staffing shortages at Canadian airports. Some report sleeping at airports and others say it took days to get to or from a destination.
Gunmen killed in Saanich bank shootout identified as twin brothers
Twin brothers in their early 20s were responsible for the shooting that injured numerous police officers at a bank in Saanich, B.C., earlier this week, RCMP alleged Saturday.
TD 'significantly' downgrades home sale, price forecasts
A new report from TD says Canadian home sales could fall by nearly one-quarter on average this year and remain low into 2023.
Dwindling salmon stocks mean endangered B.C. orcas are going hungry, researchers say
Researchers in British Columbia say the province's endangered southern resident orcas have not been getting enough food for years, with some of the worst bouts of hunger occurring since 2018.
Calgary's new 'Museum of Failures' aims to spark creativity
It's been said no one's success is complete without failure, but a new international exhibit in Calgary is proving that even some of the most talented innovators had some of the worst ideas for consumers.
Importing dogs from more than 100 countries to be banned in Canada
Animal rescue groups are criticizing a new policy by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that will ban the import of dogs from more than 100 countries.
Gas prices see long weekend drop in parts of Canada, but analysts say relief not likely to last
The Canada Day long weekend saw gas prices plummet in parts of the country, but the relief at the pumps may not stay for very long, analysts say. The decreases come after crude oil prices slid in June following the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes, sparking fears of a recession.
Anti-Taliban law could be tweaked to get more humanitarian aid to Afghans: minister
A law outlawing any dealings with the Taliban, which charities complain is impeding their ability to help needy Afghans, could be adjusted by the federal government to give more flexibility to aid agencies.