This was only the second time this trophy was awarded to a deserving recipient. The Michener Award was inaugurated in 1970 to recognize the finest in public service journalism.
In 1969, Governor General Roland Michener commissioned sculptor John Matthews, of Perth, Ontario, to design the above trophy that would constitute the award. The bronze rectangle is set on a marble base with stylized type-font letters on one side and broadcasting antenna on the other. It compares with the U.S. Pulitzer gold medal for public service by a newspaper.