AP to receive RTDNA Foundation's Citation of Courage Award
The RTDNA Foundation will honor The Associated Press with a Citation of Courage at the 34th annual First Amendment Awards, to be held Thursday at the Watergate Hotel in Washington.
“Courage is doing what is right, even in the face of consequences, and The Associated Press demonstrated remarkable courage in its decision to serve its audience over the interests of the President of the United States,” the RTDNA Foundation said of the honor. “Threats and intimidation are no match for the truth. We applaud the AP for having the courage to exercise its editorial independence, setting a bold example for journalists everywhere.”
The First Amendment Awards honor journalists, organizations and individuals for their dedication to upholding the First Amendment and their commitment to a free press. They have been held by the RTDNA Foundation, the educational arm of the Radio Television Digital News Association, since 1992.
Following President Trump’s executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, the AP issued style guidance on Jan. 23 that said the organization would continue to call the body of water by its original name “while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen.” The AP made the decision, it said, because the Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years and “as a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences.”
In retaliation, the Trump Administration barred AP journalists from the Oval Office at the White House and Air Force One. President Trump said last month the AP would not gain access until they changed their policy. The AP filed a lawsuit on Feb. 21 against three White House officials, saying those actions violated the First and Fifth Amendments. Days later, the White House announced plans to take over press pool selections from the White House Correspondents Association, a move that many — including RTDNA — have condemned.
The AP will be honored Thursday along with First Amendment Award recipients Lesley Stahl (CBS News), Omar Jimenez (CNN), Steve Inskeep (NPR), Rachel Scott (ABC News), attorney Chuck Tobin (Ballard Spahr) and Trey Yingst (Fox News) and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Karen DeWitt (New York Public News Network).
The First Amendment Awards are a fundraiser for the RTDNA Foundation, which works for an America in which the press is able to hold the powerful to account, shine a light on corruption, and act as a catalyst for positive change in local communities without denial of access, undue restriction, or fear of attack. It trains and equips local journalists and journalism students to know their rights and seek and report truth ethically.
The RTDNA Foundation has granted more than $1 million in scholarships since 1972.
Those interested in covering the 2025 First Amendment Awards can fill out credential applications here.
About RTDNA
The Radio Television Digital News Association is the world's largest professional organization devoted exclusively to broadcast and digital journalism. Founded as a grassroots organization in 1946, RTDNA’s mission is to promote and protect responsible journalism. RTDNA defends the First Amendment rights of electronic journalists throughout the country, honors outstanding work in the profession through the Edward R. Murrow Awards and provides members with training to encourage ethical standards, newsroom leadership and innovation.