Inaugural World News Day kicks off in Toronto on May 3 with special event
TORONTO, April 30, 2018 /CNW/ - The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) will launch its inaugural World News Day on May 3 in Toronto with an event featuring powerful testimonials from citizens alongside the journalists who told their stories, as well as live musical performances by Canadian talent.
World News Day is a new initiative that builds on the UN's World Press Freedom Day to celebrate the stories, the people, the reporting and the professional news organizations that are dedicated to changing lives, challenging the status quo, holding those in power to account and supporting freedom and democracy.
"We look forward to bringing together the journalists who believe in making a difference and the subjects of their stories who emotionally recount the moment they realized that journalism matters," says David Walmsley, chair of the CJF and editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail.
Hosted by Ian Hanomansing, co-host of CBC News's The National, the early evening will feature performances by Polaris Music Prize winner Lido Pimienta, Juno-nominated Canadian artists Iskwé and Daniel Romano, and Leah and Peter from July Talk.
Journalists featured include: Robyn Doolittle, investigative reporter with The Globe and Mail; Mark Kelley, co-host of CBC's the fifth estate; Kevin Newman, host and managing editor of CTV's W5; Avery Haines, investigative reporter with W5; Sara Mojtehedzadeh, work and wealth reporter for the Toronto Star; Vicky Mochama, columnist for StarMetro; Jane Lytvynenko, reporter with BuzzFeed News; and Jane Sims, reporter with The London Free Press, among others. The event will also feature an audience "ask-me-anything" session with Richard Gingras, vice-president of news for Google.
Those speaking to the power of journalism include: Carol Todd, mother of Amanda Todd, the Port Coquitlam, B.C. teenager who took her own life after being stalked and bullied online and at school; Christine Cameron, whose experience trying to find her long-missing sister was documented in CBC's Finding Cleo podcast; and Janice Martell, who campaigned on behalf of her father and other Ontario miners who were forced to inhale an aluminum powder—promoted as a preventative measure against lung disease—which instead is thought to have led to neurological and other serious health issues.
The CJF thanks the generosity of sponsors The Globe and Mail, CBC News, Radio-Canada, Google, Facebook Journalism Project, General Motors of Canada, along with in-kind supporters BuzzFeed News, CTV News, Global News, StarMetro, Toronto Star and Postmedia Network.
This event is open to the public.
WHEN: Thursday, May 3, 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: CBC - Barbara Frum Atrium, 250 Front St. W. Toronto
Register to attend
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www.worldnewsday.org
Twitter: @WND2018
Facebook: @WorldNewsDay2018
About The Canadian Journalism Foundation
Founded 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 annual industry gala where Canada's top newsmakers meet Canada's top news people. Through J-Talks, our popular speaker's 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 fosters opportunities for journalism education, training and research.
SOURCE Canadian Journalism Foundation
Natalie Turvey, Executive Director, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, [email protected]
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