Media Centre > News Releases > Archive > 1998 > October 6 , 1998

Entries up 44% Broadcasters’ association unveils Gold Ribbon finalists

OTTAWA, October 6 , 1998 -- Twenty radio stations, 16 television stations and two specialty channels remain in the hunt for private broadcasting’s prestigious Gold Ribbons for best news, programming and public service projects of the year, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) announced today.

Entries range from outstanding coverage of Manitoba’s devastating flood and ‘Princess Di’s’ tragic death, to in-depth specials on cancer, alcohol and home grown talent.

"Incredibly creative, thought provoking and richly diverse," is how judges sum up the finalists’. "Entries display remarkable production values and world class material and demonstrate broadcasters’ commitment to their communities."

Winners will be announced at the Gold Ribbon gala, during the CAB Convention at Broadcasting ‘98, November 3, Vancouver.

Stations across the country submitted 226 entries, up a whopping 44% over 1997. News was the most popular TV category with 61 entries, while Community Service attracted the most radio entries, 15.

CFTM-TV, Montreal and BCTV, Vancouver lead television contenders, each with four shots at gold. Specialty channels MuchMusic and The Comedy Network each have three entries in the running.

On the radio front, CFTR, Toronto, CJOB, Winnipeg and CHUM-FM/AM, Toronto are tied with three chances for gold, followed by CFAM, Altona with two.

Gold Ribbons will also be awarded to individuals for Broadcast Excellence, Engineering Achievement and outstanding Community Service.

Television judges: Ellen Baine (Chair), Citytv, Toronto; Louis Lalande, Le Canal Nouvelles, Montreal; Rick Lewchuck, CTV, Toronto; Lloyd Lewis, RDTV, Red Deer; Renée-Claude Ménard, Groupe TVA Inc.

(CFTM-TV), Montreal; and Tamara Poirier, CKVU-TV (Global TV), Vancouver.

Radio judges: John Hinnen (Chair), Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. (CFTR), Toronto; Gary Evong, KIXX (CFDR), Halifax; Claude Gagné, CIMF-FM (Télémédia), Hull; May Lam, CFOX-FM, Vancouver; Daniel Poupart,

CFGL-FM, Laval; and Brian Stone, CIFX, Winnipeg.

To ensure impartiality, judges abstain from voting when an entry from their station(s) or parent company is being considered.

The CAB represents the vast majority of Canada’s private radio, television and specialty services.

For more information, please contact:

Susan Tolusso
Director, Communications
(613) 233-4035 ext. 331
(stolusso@cab-acr.ca)