TORONTO, April 8, 2020 /CNW/ - The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) is proud to announce the shortlists for the CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism, honouring news organizations that embody exemplary journalism and have a profound positive impact on the communities they serve. Finalists are recognized in two categories: large and small media.
Since 1996, the CJF has recognized news organizations that embrace ideals of journalistic excellence – originality, courage, independence, accuracy, social responsibility, accountability and diversity – with this prestigious award.
"The captivating and important stories by the shortlist entries are examples of the fourth estate at its best and show why we need the media more than ever," says jury chair Isabel Bassett, former Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation and former TVO chair and CEO. "Their dedicated reporters bring to light issues we should all know about. These highly informative, expertly written and researched stories are a much-needed wake-up call for us to adapt to a changing world that begins with questioning the status quo and demanding accountability, transparency and better management."
The five finalists in the large media category (more than 50 full-time employees) and the work that highlights their excellence are:
- Toronto Star for its 16-part immersive digital series "Undeniable: Canada's Changing Climate" that covered the impact of climate change in every corner of Canada, including "Fields of Dreams" about farm life in Saskatchewan;
- Institute for Investigative Journalism for the consortium's "The Tainted Water" investigation that uncovered a pattern of secrecy at all government levels across the country about tap water tainted by lead, with stories such as "The Secrets of Canada's tap water, explained;"
- The Globe and Mail for breaking the story about the SNC-Lavalin affair with its "PMO pressed Wilson-Raybould to abandon prosecution of SNC-Lavalin; Trudeau denies his office 'directed' her" and for its pieces following up on the fallout;
- Winnipeg Free Press for its investigative series "Homegrown Hate" about The Base, a neo-Nazi paramilitary group attempting to gain a foothold in Winnipeg and across Canada and the United States, made possible by one of its reporters infiltrating the group and
- Le Journal de Montréal for a series of ethical revelations within Otéra, the mortgage loan subsidiary of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, including exposing the disturbing links of the spouse of an Otéra vice-president to the mafia with " Le conjoint d'une V.-P. de la Caisse a déjà fait affaire avec des mafieux."
The five finalists in the small media category (fewer than 50 full-time employees) and the work that highlights their excellence are:
- Le Soleil for "La machine de la DPJ," exploring the failures of the child protection system after the death of a Granby girl aroused strong indignation across Quebec;
- CBC Ottawa for its story "SNC-Lavalin failed to meet technical threshold for $1.6B LRT contract: sources;"
- Saint John Telegraph-Journal for its investigation into the traumatizing reliance of police as "babysitters" for New Brunswick's provincial youth group home system with stories such as "'We are the bogeyman': Police on rising group home calls;"
- The London Free Press for its multimedia project and community discussion "Face It," which explored the interconnected problems of, and potential solutions to, low-employment participation, a lack of shelter and entrenched addiction in London and
- Saskatoon StarPhoenix/Regina Leader-Post for "Fees May Apply: A transparency project," an investigation of municipal government transparency, highlighting the struggles of small governments to respond to basic information requests and revealing shortcomings in their willingness to provide public documents.
A selection of finalists' story submissions are available on the awards page.
The winners in both categories will be announced at the annual CJF Awards (#CJFawards) held at the CJF Awards on October 30 in Toronto at the Ritz-Carlton. Ticket, table and sponsorship opportunities are available for the gala.
The members of the jury are:
Chair – Isabel Bassett, former Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation and former chair and CEO of TVO
Rodrigo Bonilla, regional director, Americas, WAN-IFRA, World Association of News Publishers
Colette Brin, director, Centre d'études sur les médias, Université Laval
Wendy Metcalfe, vice-president of content and editor-in-chief, Hearst Connecticut Media Group
About The Canadian Journalism Foundation
Founded in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation promotes, celebrates and facilitates excellence in journalism. The foundation runs a prestigious awards and fellowships program featuring an industry gala where news leaders, journalists and corporate Canada gather to celebrate outstanding journalistic achievement and the value of professional journalism. Through monthly J-Talks, a public speakers' series, the CJF facilitates 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 fosters opportunities for journalism education, training and research.
SOURCE Canadian Journalism Foundation
Natalie Turvey, President and Executive Director, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, [email protected]
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