Committee seeks nominations for Press Freedom Award

OTTAWA, March 15, 2016 /CNW/ - The Ottawa-based Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom ( CCWPF)  is seeking nominations for its 18^th  Press Freedom  Award to be presented at a World Press Freedom Day luncheon celebration on May 3.

Shawn McCarthy, CCWPF Chair invited media organizations and individuals interested in freedom of expression to nominate a journalist or media worker to be recognized with this prestigious Award.

"Like other media organizations around the world, we celebrate World Press Freedom Day and aim to raise awareness for journalists who face hardships and even risk their lives to bring their stories to the public," McCarthy said.

The recognition comes with a $1,000 award and a certificate from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO).

The deadline for Award nominations is April 1. The nominations form is attached to this release.

If you need further information on nominations, please contact Janice Tibbetts at [email protected]

International Editorial Cartoon

At the May3 luncheon, CCWPF President Shawn McCarthy will also announce the winners of the 16th International Editorial Cartoon contest This year's theme — "The right to be forgotten" — is inspiring cartoonists around the world.  

Keynote speaker: Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault

Suzanne Legault, Information Commissioner of Canada will be the keynote speaker. Legault, who was appointed to her position in June 2010 is responsible for investigating complaints about federal government institutions' handling of access to information requests. 

Tickets and sponsorships

Tickets to the event, to be held in the ballroom of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa,  are $65 each, $120 for two.  Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased at:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/18th-annual-world-press-freedom-day-awards-luncheon-tickets-21983382890

About the CCWPF

The Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom is a not-for-profit organization run by a volunteer board. Through its activities, vigilance and relations with like-minded organizations, the Committee works to bring the public's attention to free expression violations and the need to proactively defend freedom of the press. Every May, the Committee recognizes UNESCO World Press Freedom Day with a luncheon event in Ottawa.

SOURCE Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2016/03/15/20160315_C7163_PDF_EN_643583.pdf

CCWPF contacts: Shawn McCarthy, [phone], [email protected]; Janice Tibbets, (nominations), [email protected]; Michelle Zilio, [phone], [email protected]; Susan Korah, [phone], [email protected]; Guy Badeaux, [phone], [email protected]