UBC School of Journalism alumni Enza Uda (‘00), Michael Laanela (‘04), Meoni Poon (‘07) and Jennifer Chrumka (‘07) have picked up coveted awards from the Radio-Television News Directors Association. Each year, RTNDA honours the best in radio, television and new media through the prestigious RTNDA Awards program.
Enza Uda
Enza Uda (‘00), was a member of the School’s first graduating class. A producer for CBC Vancouver’s Go Public, she has won the Dan MacArthur Award: Best TV In-depth/Investigative for her team’s story, “Disgraced Doctor.” The piece looked at a doctor whose license had been suspended because of harrowing malpractice suits from former patients in the U.S. but went on to get a license to practice in Canada.
The CBC Online News Team, which includes alumni Michael Laanela (‘04) and Meoni Poon (‘07), won the Best Use of New Media Award for “BC Votes 2009.” The site provided comprehensive interactive features, on-demand streaming of radio and TV programming, and real-time live election results.
Jennifer Chrumka (‘07) of CBC Radio Vancouver won the Byron MacGregor Award for “Three Days of Wildfire,” in the category of best newscast in a medium-sized market. The award recognizes her continuing coverage of the fires in the Okanagan in 2009 that forced thousands of people from their homes.
Uda’s passion for investigative reporting began in 1999, when she completed a student internship during the course of her M.J. degree at the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. Her first investigative series dealt with the plight of migrant workers and was picked up by several major newspapers.
In addition to taking core journalism courses at UBC, Uda was required to take graduate-level courses in an academic discipline in order to develop an area of specialization when she graduated. She chose political sociology, and has since delved into the underworld of trafficked women, child pornography and gun smuggling.
Mike Laanela has worked with CBC Radio and Television in Vancouver and Halifax since graduating from UBC’s J School, where he specialized in politics and international relations. Currently he is an online editor and journalist with CBC.ca in Vancouver.
Jennifer Chrumka
Poon, who specialized in multiculturalism, was hired by CBC directly upon graduation from UBC because of his demonstrated expertise in online journalism.
Jennifer Chrumka was a member of the School’s 2007 graduating class and now works for CBC radio in Victoria. She has been with CBC Radio full-time since graduating from UBC’s Master of Journalism program.
She has worked in both news and current affairs in Victoria and Kelowna and has produced stories that aired on CBC stations across the country. For the last three years, Jennifer has been reading the morning news on CBC for British Columbia.
