It was founded in 1962, as the Canadian equivalent of the Radio Television Digital News Association in the United States.

The Radio and Television News Directors Association of Canada (RTNDA) was founded in 1962, to seek equal access to all types of news sources at a time when government agencies banned broadcast reporters from press conferences.

[1] Broadcast News manager Charles Edwards was the driving force behind the formation of the RTDNA.

[3] The RTDNA code of ethics is the guideline by which the CBSC makes its rulings regarding complaints about radio and television broadcasts.

It maintains a Hall of Fame list of individuals who have made an "outstanding contribution" to journalism.