The award was presented during RNA’s conference in Washington, D.C. Winners in 10 print and broadcast categories were chosen from among 277 entries, judged by current or former reporters and editors. In selecting Lawton for the award, the judges commented, “Setting a national standard for balanced and fair coverage of religious topics, the series of stories by this reporter and her team rose above the rest.”

     “Religion & Ethics Newsweekly” can be seen in the Buffalo area Sunday mornings in November from noon to 12:30p.m. on WNED, Channel 17. The program offers weekly reports and analysis of how religion shapes both national and international events and provides in-depth coverage of important ethical issues that impact people’s lives.

     Lawton has worked both in broadcast and print media for the past 19 years as a reporter, producer, writer and editor covering religion, ethics and culture. She served as Washington bureau chief for the California-based organization News Network International. She also produced a daily radio religion news program broadcast internationally over the UPI radio network.

     Lawton has reported on political news at the White House, Supreme Court and Congress. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications, including the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Charlotte Observer, The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Christianity Today.

     A 1981 graduate of Springville-Griffith Institute, she resides in Arlington, VA. and is the daughter of David and Judy Lawton of Collins.