WASHINGTON (ABC 4 Utah) The Radio Television Digital News Foundation hosted its 25th annual First Amendment Awards dinner Wednesday in Washington D.C.

The First Amendment Awards celebration honors working journalists and corporate executives for their hard work and dedication in the television broadcasting industry.Nexstar Chairman, President and CEO, Perry Sook received the First Amendment Service Award.

"Our local television stations do two things: one we produce local content which is our service to the community and our identity, and we help local advertisers and local businesses grow," said Sook.

"Thirty years I've been in the business, 15 with Perry, the man has lived up to the vision of everything he set out to do when he started this company," said Timothy Busch, Nexstar Executive VP and Co-Chief Operating Officer.

Nexstar started with just one station 19 years ago. It now owns, operates and provides sales and other services to 105 television stations reaching approximately 15.6 percent of all US television households. Sook says it's all about viewers having access to their news on a 24/7 basis.

"We have also endeavored to offer local news throughout the day so that if you're working shift work 3 to 11 we have a newscast for you early afternoon or perhaps late night..or we have expanded our morning shows," said Sook.

Sook has 33 years of experience in the television and radio broadcasting industry and credits the viewers for the success of his business.

"For viewers and advertisers, coupling digital and broadcast is an unbeatable combination," said Sook.

Also honored at the event was Bob Simon, former correspondent for CBS News and 60 Minutes and journalists Steven Stolid and James Foley who received the Citation of Courage Award.

Nexstar is the parent company of ABC 4 Utah and Utah's CW30.

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Nexstar CEO honored at First Amendment Awards