In recognition of his exceptional journalistic career, the late CityNews anchor and voice of Citytv, Mark Dailey, will be honoured with the 2011 RTNDA Lifetime Achievement Award. The award will be accepted by Mark’s wife, Kim Dailey, and Vice President, News/Executive Producer, Tina Cortese at the RTNDA Central Regional Awards Banquet in Waterloo on Saturday, May 7, 2011.
“Mark was an exceptional broadcaster and journalist, a real Citytv original,” commented Tina Cortese, Vice President, News/Executive Producer, Citytv. “This posthumous recognition for his admirable body of work is truly an honour and a testament to his impact on the industry.”
Mark Dailey’s distinguished career spanned over 30 years with Citytv. As CityNews anchor, Mark delivered the news that mattered most to the local community. His iconic baritone was instantly recognizable as the voice that helped shape and define Citytv and Toronto. Some of his most notable career highlights include receiving an RTNDA award for the CityNews serial, I Want Work, and a Letter of Appreciation from the Governor General of Canada for his active leadership in community service. He was honoured with the City of Toronto Civic Award of Merit and named Consumers Choice, Man of the Year in 2009. Mark was also a multiple winner of the Metro Police and Toronto Fire department Best Media Coverage of the Year award. In addition, Mark was named Honorary Chief of the Toronto Police Service. Prior to his time at Citytv, Mark was known for his work in radio, particularly with the legendary “Big 8”, CKLW in Windsor in the early 1970s. His charitable involvement over the years included work with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, the Sick Kids Hospital Therapeutic Clown Program, Jennifer Ashleigh Foundation, Kinder Foundation, Alzheimer Society, and many others.
Six years ago, Mark successfully battled prostate cancer. As a tireless advocate for prostate screening, his award-winning CityNews series on his own treatment helped to increase awareness of the disease and he was a proud spokesperson for Prostate Cancer Canada. Sadly, Mark succumbed to kidney cancer in December, 2010.
The RTNDA Lifetime Achievement Award was created in 2002 to recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves through outstanding service and continued excellence during the course of their career in broadcast journalism.
RTNDA Canada is the voice of electronic journalists and news managers in Canada. The members of RTNDA Canada recognize the responsibility of broadcast journalists to promote and to protect the freedom to report independently about matters of public interest and to present a wide range of expressions, opinions and ideas. The RTNDA Canada Code of Ethics adopted by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, is used to measure fairness and accuracy in our profession.
