March 26, 2008
The Daily News, Kamloops
By Catherine Litt
City newsman wins national honour
A Kamloops broadcast journalist has been recognized by his peers nationwide.
The Radio-Television News Directors’ Association announced Tuesday that Doug Collins, news director of CFJC-TV, will receive its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award this year.
The 59-year-old Collins has worked in broadcast news for 42 years, having started with CBC Radio in Prince Rupert after high school then moving to Kamloops in the early 1970s. In his early years in Kamloops, he honed his journalistic skills while doing double duty as a radio and TV reporter.
During his long career he has hosted live radio shows, led special coverage of elections, developed a strong viewership with his One Man’s Opinion editorials and mentored many young reporters who have worked under his leadership as news director.
Collins is on vacation and was unavailable for comment Tuesday, but his colleagues at the Kamloops Broadcast Centre had no shortage of praise for their friend, mentor and fellow broadcaster.
“He’s a quality person, a quality guy,” said Rick Arnish, a general manager of CFJC-TV.
Arnish and Collins have worked together for nearly 40 years.
“He’s been a mentor for many young people coming into the business. He’s certainly one of our senior managers here at Broadcast Centre and leads by example with his knowledge of the business and with his work ethic and what he stands for in life.”
Collins is what many in the in the news media would call a consummate newsman – someone who lives and breathes journalism and adheres to its highest ideals.
Aside from that, “he really is just a great person to be around,” said Arnish.
One of Collins’ biggest admirers is his assistant news director, Sandy Heimlich-Hall. She nominated Collins for the RTNDA award.
“I’ve been involved in RTNDA for 10 years now and I’ve seen many important and really valuable broadcasters in B.C. nominated and I finally just decided, you know, Doug’s done so much in this community,” said Heimlich-Hall.
“He’s mentored so many people who are out there working in broadcast right now – television and radio – I just thought he deserved it.”
The RTNDA judges agreed; they voted unanimously to give Collins the award.
Collins is one of seven veteran broadcasters nationwide to get the honour this year. Among them is talk-show host Vicky Gabereau.
Collins officially receives his award at the regional RTNDA conference April 26 in Kamloops.
www.kamloopsnews.ca
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