CityNews VJ Kier Junos wins RTDNA Emerging Journalist Award

CityNews Vancouver video journalist Kier Junos has become the first recipient of RTDNA Canada’s Emerging Journalist Award.

The award, handed out in Toronto on Friday, recognizes “an emerging journalist who displays excellence in the coverage of original (enterprise) journalism on a single topic, investigative reporting, or continuing coverage of a beat or a major breaking and developing story.”

“A lot of the reporting I’m most proud of has been on unhoused communities in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, people who are so easily overlooked and dehumanized,” Junos said as he accepted the award.

“I hope to change that with my work.”

Junos, who grew up in Abbotsford, has been with CityNews Vancouver for three years.

He has a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism and a minor in economics from Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Junos got his start in journalism as a music blogger in Vancouver, and then went on to write for Black Press papers and other local magazines.

Before CityNews, Junos created and hosted segments for the Joytv/Zoomermedia shows Fraser Focus and JoytvNEWS.

RTDNA Canada says it created the Emerging Journalist Award to recognize the work and achievements of journalists who are early on in their career.

“Junos is Filipino and bisexual, and these identities intersect to create a unique lens in his approach to stories with marginalized people,” RTDNA Canada adds.

“There was fierce competition for this new award that recognizes the people who are not just honing their craft – they are delivering results,” said RTDNA President Lis Travers.

“Congratulations Kier.”