Kathy Gannon to speak at April 30 World Press Freedom luncheon

OTTAWA, March 12, 2015 /CNW/ - Associated Press Special Regional Correspondent for Afghanistan and Pakistan Kathy Gannon will speak on "Press Freedom – Fact or Fiction" at this year's World Press Freedom luncheon on Thursday, April 30. The event will be held at the Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel in Ottawa.

The annual luncheon is in celebration of World Press Freedom Day, designated as such by the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to highlight media freedom issues around the world.

Gannon, a Canadian journalist originally from Timmins, Ont., has reported on Afghanistan for nearly three decades. Last April, Gannon and colleague Anja Niedringhaus, a German photojournalist, were covering the national Afghan election when an Afghan police officer opened fire on them while they were waiting in the back seat of a car. Gannon was shot six times and severely injured. Niedringhaus was killed.

17^th annual Canadian World Press Freedom Award

During the luncheon, hosted by the Ottawa-based Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom (CCWPF), the 17th annual Canadian World Press Freedom Award will be presented. The Award honours a journalist or media worker who has made an outstanding contribution in the past year to the right of freedom of expression. The recognition comes with a $2,000 award and a certificate from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CC UNESCO), sponsor of World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Ottawa.

The deadline for Award winner nominations is April 1. The nomination form for the World Press Freedom Award can be found here.

International Editorial Cartoon

At the April 30 luncheon, CCWPF President Shawn McCarthy will also announce the winners of the annual International Editorial Cartoon contest . This year's theme — "Press Freedom has a value, but also a price" — is inspiring cartoonists around the world.  

"The shootings at Charlie Hebdo and in Copenhagen have deeply affected the cartooning community and made self-censorship all the more tempting," said Guy Badeaux, chair of the cartoon jury.

Cartoons must be submitted by 5 p.m. on April 3.  Information on submissions for the International Editorial Cartoon contest can be found here.

Tickets and sponsorships

Tickets to the event are $65 each, $120 for two.  Tickets and sponsorships (silver and gold levels) can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-conversation-with-kathy-gannon-on-world-press-freedom-day-tickets-15802644134.

For more on the Canadian World Press Freedom Award nominations, the cartoon contest, sponsorship opportunities and additional information on the April 30 luncheon, please visit: http://www.ccwpf-cclpm.ca/.

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. This year's event, to be held on April 30, will feature a keynote address by Kathy Gannon, Associated Press Special Regional Correspondent for Afghanistan and Pakistan.

SOURCE Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom

Shawn McCarthy, [phone], [email protected] ; Michelle Zilio, [phone], [email protected] ; Susan Korah [phone] [email protected]; Guy Badeaux, [phone], [email protected]