The first Hugh Haugland Award for outstanding videography was given out Friday night at the RTNDA Awards Gala, held in Edmonton, Alberta.

Each year, the Radio Television News Directors Association, recognizes journalists who have excelled in their craft.

The Hugh Haugland award was established in memory of the late CTV cameraman's dedication to hard work and excellence in broadcast journalism.

Haugland was killed in a helicopter crash last summer while covering the aftermath of a tornado that hit Mont Laurier.

His father, retired CTV Montreal anchor Bill Haugland, presented the award at the ceremony.

"Hugh had the ability to understand the symbiotic nature of the camera person and the reporter. He would try to understand what the reporter was trying to do and would try to marry pictures to the words, and I think he did it quite successfully," he said.

The national award, given for creative use of video, was presented to CTV Southwestern Ontario for a piece entitled 'Cop Cars', as well as Global Television for 'A Single Rose'.