When the RTDNA Lost Their Way

Back in the day, the RTDNA was called the RTNDA, which stood for Radio Television News Directors Association.

They later changed their name to the RTDNA, which stands for the Radio Television Digital News Association.

I went to many a convention and it was geared to people that worked in both TV and Radio news.

Each convention had the Paul White dinner, in which someone in the industry was awarded with the Paul White Award.

I was at many Paul White dinners and saw these industry people pick up their Paul White award.

2017: Lester Holt

2015: Lesley Stahl

2014: Dick Ebersol

2013: Chris Wallace

2012: Jeff Fager

2011: Linda Ellerbe

2004: Ted Koppel

2003: Bob Schieffer

2002: Tom Brokaw

2001: Jim McKay

2000: Ed Bradley

1998: Jane Pauley

1997: Dan Rather

You know what all these people had in common?

They worked in TV news.

But, this year, the RTDNA will be handing out the Paul White Award to Dean Baquet, the former editor of The NY Times.

Why is an organization, based on TV and Radio news, giving an honor to a newspaper guy?

Was there no one left in TV news?

How the RTDNA has lost their way.