HALIFAX, April 21, 2015 /CNW/ - The Atlantic Journalism Awards is proud to announce that William R. Callahan is this year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime of dedication to journalism excellence in Atlantic Canada.

William R. Callahan of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, has had an outstanding career as a journalist centred in NL, the effects of which have been felt throughout Canada. Callahan began his career as a newspaper reporter and photographer, and radio and TV sports writer and broadcaster, the latter of which earned him a place in the Newfoundland and Labrador Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Wall of Fame of Mile One Stadium. During his career, Callahan held positions as the senior executive of each of the three daily newspapers published in the province - The Western Star; The Daily News (where he was also Publisher and principal owner); and The (Evening) Telegram. Callahan served as News Director of CJON Radio and TV, and as Editor of the Roman Catholic Monitor Newspaper; and for many years was a frequent commentator for CBC Radio and Television.

Callahan's career spans the second half of the last century. His profile includes a 1961 story breaking the confirmation of the location of the first Europeans in North America at the Viking settlement in northern Newfoundland; reports from the "new Germany" post destruction of the Berlin wall; from Norway on the developing petroleum and salmon aquaculture industries; coverage of the international interest over the sealing industry in Canada, the United States, Great Britain and Continental Europe; among other critical international events.

Callahan's media management, board positions, provincial Ministerial and directorship roles have been of significant consequence for NL and Canada, and reflective of his lifetime of comprehensive success and respectability as a journalist. As an author, Callahan has published two books: "Joseph R. Smallwood, Journalist, Premier, Newfoundland Patriot" and "The Banting Enigma" lending his editing hand to "The Brothers are Coming".

Callahan will be honoured at the Atlantic Journalism Awards gala dinner and awards event on May 9, 2015 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel.  Ticket information at www.AJAs.ca.

SOURCE Atlantic Journalism Awards