RNAO's annual Media Awards competition now open

TORONTO, Dec. 16, 2022 /CNW/ - As Ontarians continue to grapple with the impact of a nursing crisis and the enduring pandemic, journalists continue to tell the stories of nurses and other health-care workers. In appreciation of their work, the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) invites members of the media to submit stories on nursing and health care to the association's annual Media Awards competition.

"Journalists' exceptional hard work this year has led to Ontarians having a better understanding of the wage-suppressive legislation Bill 124 and its negative effect on nurses, the need to fast-track the process of internationally educated nurses, and why masking and vaccination remain important during this pandemic," says RNAO President Dr. Claudette Holloway. "RNAO is excited to invite journalists to submit their stories to our competition and honour them."

This year, RNAO is introducing two new categories – podcast and multicultural. "Podcasts are rapidly becoming a popular way people digest information. It's also important to recognize that news can come in different languages from different communities. RNAO is proud to feature these two new categories that will give more journalists an opportunity to have their work recognized," says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun.

A committee of reporters and nurses selected by RNAO – the professional association that shapes health and nursing policy – will judge stories published or broadcasted in Ontario in 2022. Previous winners include journalists from Toronto Star, Global News, CBC Radio and toronto.com. Their work focused on the opioid crisis, the nursing shortage, the impact of COVID-19 on long-term care homes, as well as the racism and discrimination Black nurses experience on the job.

Nominations for the Media Awards must be received via the online submission form no later than 4:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 28, 2023.

Categories for the competition include:

Community newspaper

• Best news story
• Best in-depth feature or series

Daily newspaper

• Best news story
• Best in-depth feature or series

Radio

• Best news report
• Best in-depth report or series

Television

• Best news report
• Best in-depth report or series

Online

• Best news story
• Best in-depth feature or series

Podcast – NEW

• Best episode
• Best series

Multicultural – NEW

• Best news story
• Best in-depth feature or series

RNAO will present the awards to this year's winners during the association's Annual General Meeting in June 2023. For the complete list of criteria and to fill out an entry form, visit RNAO.ca/about/awards/media-awards.

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit RNAO.ca or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Victoria Alarcon, Communications Officer/Writer Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), 1-800-268-7199 ext. 211, 416-408-5610, [email protected]; Marion Zych, Director of Communications, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), 1-800-268-7199 ext. 209, 416-408-5605, 647-406-5605 (cell), [email protected]