Canadian Journalism Foundation announces CJF Jackman Award for Excellence finalists

TORONTO, April 15, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) is proud to announce the shortlists for the CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism in the large and small media categories.

The annual awards recognize Canadian news organizations that embody exemplary journalism with a resulting impact on the community they serve. Since 1996, the CJF has honoured news organizations that embrace ideals of journalistic excellence – accuracy, independence, accountability, courage and originality – with this prestigious award.

"The entries show the tremendous range and depth of quality journalism being produced across the country," says Christopher Waddell, chair of the jury and associate professor, School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University. "While the past year marked concern in some quarters about journalism's future, large news organizations are still committing significant resources to tell stories that make a deep impact with audiences. At the same time, the breadth and depth of entries in the smaller news organization category demonstrate the excellent work that can be done with a small staff and limited resources."

The five finalists in the large media category (more than 50 full-time employees), and the stories for which they are nominated, are:

16x9, Global News
"Under Fire: Were Moncton RCMP officers ready for the call?"

CBC News
"Missing & Murdered: Unsolved cases of indigenous women and girls"
"Families of missing and murdered indigenous women give police a failing grade"
"Family prays for justice 12 years after Felicia Solomon's remains found in Red River"

The Globe and Mail
"The Unremembered"
An investigation that revealed at least 54 soldiers and veterans killed themselves after returning from fighting in Afghanistan, and how the investigation unfolded.

Maclean's
"Welcome to Winnipeg: Where Canada's racism problem is at its worst"
"One year later: Winnipeg leaders on a city's fight against racism"
"'It could have been me.' Thirteen remarkable women share their own stories."

Toronto Star
"Sick Kids reassigns oversight of Motherisk program"
"Scope of Motherisk probe doubled to cover 2005-15"
"Damning review of Motherisk drug testing sparks call for second probe"

The five finalists in the small media category (fewer than 50 full-time employees), and the stories for which they are nominated, are:

Metro Ottawa
"City of Ottawa won't divulge Parliament Hill shooting report recommendations"
"Privacy watchdog reviews Ottawa's redaction of Parliament Hill shooting report"
"Parliament Hill report finds not enough guards to quickly lock down Ottawa city hall"

National Observer (Vancouver based)
"Redacted diary reveals oil's hidden route to Harper"
"Enbridge dismisses allegations of impropriety in Duffy communications"
"Questions persist in Parliament on Duffy-Harper-Enbridge connection"

The Telegraph-Journal (Saint John, N.B.)
"Tracking Daycare Deficiencies"

Toronto Life
"The Skin I'm In: I've been interrogated by police more than 50 times—all because I'm black"

The Tyee (Vancouver based)
"Did Alberta Just Break a Fracking Earthquake World Record?"
"Fracking Industry Has Changed Earthquake Patterns in Northeast BC"
"Supreme Court Rejects Argument to Dismiss Landmark Fracking Case"

The winners in both categories will be announced at the annual CJF Awards held at the Fairmont Royal York on June 16 in Toronto.

The members of the jury are:
Chair - Christopher Waddell, associate professor, School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University
Hershell Ezrin, managing director, Ezrin Communications
Trina McQueen, adjunct professor, MBA Program in Arts and Media Administration, York University
David Skok, managing editor and vice-president of Digital, The Boston Globe
Shauna Snow-Capparelli, associate professor and chair, Bachelor of Communication-Journalism, Mount Royal University

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About The Canadian Journalism Foundation
Established in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation promotes excellence in journalism by celebrating outstanding journalistic achievement. Our signature events include an annual awards program featuring a must-attend industry gala where Canada's top newsmakers meet Canada's top news people. Through J-Talks, our popular speakers' series, we facilitate dialogue among journalists, business people, academics and students about the role of the media in Canadian society and the ongoing challenges for media in the digital era. The foundation also supports journalism websites J-Source.ca (English) and ProjetJ.ca (French) and fosters opportunities for journalism education, training and research.

SOURCE Canadian Journalism Foundation

Natalie Turvey, Executive Director, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, 416-955-0394, [email protected]