In the TVB's Alt Forward 2020 Conference on Thursday, Graham Media Group CEO Emily Barr was saluted as Broadcaster of the Year, and she got a big hat tip for her stance on the climate of television industry.

Broadcasting & Cable Vice President and global editor-in-chief Bill Gannon said Barr is “simply world class,” and recognized her leadership at GMG, as well as her industry-wide contributions.

“It’s obvious to all of us that Emily has truly set the bar for the rest of the television industry,” Gannon said.

Barr touched on several topics during the conference, and while noting that 2020 has been a challenging year, she encouraged everyone in broadcast to be better communicators and better human beings.

“We must all do better,” she said.

That includes controlling the data and relationship with viewers and users, as well as cutting through “the morass of misinformation.”

Barr challenged stations everywhere to be “the watchdogs every community needs to function fairly and equitably.”

While she addressed several challenges that come with being part of the television industry, all while going through so much as a nation, Bar remains positive.

“It is a privilege to be a local broadcaster toady and every day,” she said.