Canadian Journalism Foundation honours Boston Globe Spotlight Team with Special Citation

TORONTO, March 30, 2016 /CNW/ - The Boston Globe Spotlight Team will be honoured at the CJF Awards in Toronto on June 16 with a Canadian Journalism Foundation Special Citation for exemplary journalism.

The reporting team won a Pulitzer Prize in 2003 for its investigative series exposing widespread child abuse by numerous priests and the systemic cover-up by the Catholic Church in Boston. Globe reporters Sacha Pfeiffer and Michael Rezendes, along with the editor who led the investigation, Walter V. Robinson, will accept the award on behalf of the team. The Spotlight Team's courageous journalism was portrayed in the movie Spotlight, which won best picture and best original screenplay at this year's Academy Awards.

"At the CJF, we believe that exceptional journalism needs to be honoured," says John Cruickshank, chair of the CJF and outgoing publisher of the Toronto Star. "The work of the Boston Globe reporters highlights the painstaking time and effort that goes into investigative journalism and the profound impact it can have on people's lives. Their work is an inspiration and serves as a reminder of why rigorous journalism is necessary."

The CJF Awards is the evening gala when more than 600 of the country's business and media luminaries celebrate excellence in journalism by honouring those who have made significant contributions to journalism throughout their careers and by recognizing emerging talent.

Anna Maria Tremonti, host of CBC Radio One's The Current, will preside over this year's CJF Awards gala.  

This year's CJF Tribute will honour Tina Brown, the former New Yorker and Vanity Fair editor, and Harold Evans, the former editor of The Sunday Times in London. The tribute recognizes media luminaries who have made an impact on the international stage.

Other awards to be presented include: the CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism (awarded in two categories, large media and small media), the Lifetime Achievement Award, the CJF Innovation Award, The Landsberg Award, the CJF Aboriginal Journalism Fellowships, the Greg Clark Award, the Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award, the William Southam Journalism Fellowships and the Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy.

The event takes place at The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. For tickets and tables, see contact information below or visit the CJF Awards page.

The Canadian Journalism Foundation thanks the following organizations for their support of the CJF Awards: CN, RBC, BMO Financial Group, Labatt Breweries of Canada, Accenture, Medtronic, Manulife, Rogers, Scotiabank, Ivanhoé Cambridge, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Shaw Communications. Thanks also to the following for their in-kind support: The Canadian Press, CBC News, CNW, The Globe and Mail, iPolitics, Maclean's, Metro, National Post, Porter and Toronto Star. Dinner wines proudly sponsored by Charton Hobbs.

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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

Image with caption: "The Canadian Journalism Foundation will honour Boston Globe Spotlight Team reporters Sacha Pfeiffer, Michael Rezendes and Walter V. Robinson with a Special Citation for exemplary journalism at the CJF Awards in Toronto. (CNW Group/Canadian Journalism Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160330_C8614_PHOTO_EN_653799.jpg

Natalie Turvey, Executive Director, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, [email protected], 416-955-0396; To purchase a table or tickets for the CJF Awards, please contact: Josh Gurfinkel, Office and IT Manager, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, [email protected], 416-955-0394