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The RTCA is pleased to announce the following awards to our radio and television journalists:
KELLY O’DONNELL
2019 Career Achievement Award for Distinguished Reporting on Congress
The 2019 Career Achievement Award for Distinguished Reporting on Congress honors the distinguished career of a Washington broadcaster who represents career achievement and dedication to Congressional coverage. The award recognizes rare, exceptional careers and signifies the admiration of the many broadcasters who follow behind and benefit from the work of the recipient. Kelly O’Donnell is an NBC News White House Correspondent and a veteran of Capitol Hill whose political reporting appears across all NBC News and MSNBC platforms, including “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt,” “TODAY,” “Meet the Press,” and NBCNews.com.
O’Donnell joined NBC News as a correspondent in 1994. She covered the inaugurations of President Barack Obama, the second term of President George W. Bush, and followed the Republican primary trail in 2012. In 2008, O’Donnell travelled the country with Republican candidates, John McCain and Sarah Palin. In 2004, she covered the Democratic field tracking John Kerry and John Edwards from Iowa to the conventions, debates and election night. In 2000, she reported on the contested election and Florida recount. In 1996, O’Donnell travelled with Sen. Bob Dole during his White House run.
O’Donnell previously served as NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent and provided extensive coverage on every major issue including the federal government shutdown, fiscal crises and the long national debates over health care law, immigration and gun rights.
MARY BRUCE
The Joan S. Barone Award
The 2018 Joan S. Barone Award recognizes excellence in Washington-based Congressional or political reporting in the past year. The award honors the memory of Joan Shorenstein Barone, a CBS producer known for her tenacity, detailed memory and relentless pursuit of answers from politicians. The unrelenting reporting of ABC News’ Senior Congressional Correspondent Mary Bruce stood out during the news coverage of Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. Her stories were distinctive. With each twist and turn, Bruce weaved a rich narrative following the high political stakes facing senators as they reached their decisions. On a daily basis, Bruce’s precise reporting helped viewers fully understand the scope and historic nature of this important story. Her reports also showcased her impeccable questioning of senators in the halls of Congress, followed the tensions that erupted throughout the confirmation process, and examined the political fallout.
CLIVE MYRIE
The David Bloom Award
The 2018 David Bloom Award celebrates exceptional enterprise, investigative or enterprise reporting done in the past year, with a particular eye toward journalism that is fresh, daring or undertaken in difficult circumstances. The award honors the memory of David Bloom, a dogged, creative and gutsy correspondent and anchor for NBC News. After spending weeks building up a trust with the drug cartels at America’s southern border, the BBC’s Clive Myrie witnessed first-hand the deadly trade which allows drugs into the United States and guns back into Mexico. The opioid crisis is one of the most deadly threats facing the US, and by going to the source, Myrie showed how the lucrative industry continues to thrive. Myrie’s remarkable piece stood out for showing the same daring and in–depth story-telling that David exemplified in his reporting.
KIM UHL
The Jerry Thompson Memorial Award
The 2019 Jerry Thompson Memorial Award recognizes extraordinary careers in photojournalism production, focusing on the qualities of selflessness, mentorship and commitment to quality. The award honors the memory of Jerry Thompson, a longtime videographer for CNN known for his generous friendship, willingness to help others and consistently pushing above and beyond expectations. Kim Uhl has worked as a photojournalist for CNN for over 31 years. She has covered the White House and Capitol Hill, heads of states and presidents, hurricanes, protests, hurt and horrific loss. But her favorite stories to tell are human interest ones, where one gets to the heart and soul and captures the true essence of ones life. She considers mentoring one of her great passions in life.