TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Mohamed Fahmy, the Canadian journalist recently freed from a Cairo prison, will speak at a talk presented by The Canadian Journalism Foundation in partnership with the Toronto Public Library. Fahmy will be in conversation with Michelle Shephard, national security reporter for the Toronto Star, at the Toronto Reference Library on November 2.
"What Mohamed Fahmy endured in Egypt should make us as Canadians confront the issues involved in this case—issues that are so timely and important: what is journalism today, what does it mean to be Canadian, how does our government protect us and how do we, as a society, protect our rights to a free press and free speech," says Shephard. "I'm delighted to welcome Mohamed home and to debate these issues with the man who has been at the centre of it all."
An award-winning Egyptian-Canadian journalist and author, Fahmy was the Egypt bureau chief of Al Jazeera International when he was arrested in 2013. The Egyptian government charged Fahmy with conspiring with the Muslim Brotherhood and fabricating news to serve the fundamentalist group's agenda. He was incarcerated in a maximum security jail for more than 400 days —including a month in solitary—alongside ISIS and other terrorists. Fahmy's unjust imprisonment unleashed an international outcry for his release from human rights groups and press freedom organizations to the United Nations, the European Union and President Barack Obama.
Last month, Fahmy was pardoned by the Egyptian government and he regained his freedom.
Fahmy, who intends to live in Vancouver, has spent most of his career covering conflict zones, reporting for the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, Dubai TV and CNN. In addition, he spent two years working for the International Red Cross.
This talk is a special event, part of the CJF J-Talks series, exploring issues and challenges shaping journalism. Details of this talk can be found on the event page.
This event is dedicated to the principles of freedom of speech and the protection of Canadian citizens abroad.
Thank you to media partner Toronto Star and in-kind supporter CNW Group.
WHERE: Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St., Toronto
WHEN: Monday, November 2
Doors open and reception (cash bar): 6:00 p.m.
Discussion: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Tickets are required and available online Tuesday, October 13 at 9:00 a.m. at tpl.ca/fahmy. Tickets must be reserved in advance with a suggested donation of $20 (student and atrium seats $15) to The Fahmy Foundation and the Toronto Public Library Foundation.
The Fahmy Foundation aims to provide financial assistance and advocate for reporters and photographers unjustly imprisoned worldwide.
The Toronto Public Library Foundation was established in 1997 as a charity to support the Toronto Public Library. The Foundation works with individuals and corporations to support programs, services, spaces and collections that would not otherwise be possible with government funding alone. To learn more about the Toronto Public Library Foundation, visit www.tplfoundation.ca.
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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 supports journalism websites J-Source.ca (English) and ProjetJ.ca (French) and fosters opportunities for journalism education, training and research.
About the Toronto Public Library
The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon, located in the heart of Toronto on the second floor of the Toronto Reference Library, is a place where writers, thinkers, newsmakers and innovators come together for conversation and debate. Toronto Public Library is one of the world's busiest urban public library systems. Every year, 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what's happening at the library, follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary.
SOURCE Canadian Journalism Foundation
Image with caption: "Mohamed Fahmy, the Canadian journalist recently released from a Cairo prison, will speak in Toronto on November 2 at an event presented by The Canadian Journalism Foundation in partnership with the Toronto Public Library. (CNW Group/Canadian Journalism Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151008_C7327_PHOTO_EN_517365.jpg
Image with caption: "Mohamed Fahmy will be in conversation with Michelle Shephard (pictured), national security reporter for the Toronto Star, at a Nov. 2 event in Toronto presented by The Canadian Journalism Foundation in partnership with the Toronto Public Library. (CNW Group/Canadian Journalism Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151008_C7327_PHOTO_EN_517363.jpg
For inquiries: Natalie Turvey, Executive Director, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, 416-955-0396, [email protected]; Yvonne Hunter, Manager, Cultural and Special Events, Toronto Public Library, 416-393-7098, [email protected]
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