OTTAWA, May 2, 2018 /CNW/ - Newfoundland's The Independent will be recognized as the winner of the 20th Press Freedom Award at the annual luncheon celebrating the UNESCO-designated World Press Freedom Day.
Award winner
Journalist Justin Brake of The Independent is believed to be the only journalist to ever face both civil and criminal charges in Canada for reporting on an issue of public importance—in this case the impact of the Muskrat Hydroelectric project on indigenous people. The Independent's coverage, including Mr. Brake's Facebook Live reporting, gained national attention and fostered debate about the contentious hydro project.
Hosted by the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom in partnership with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Award honours the journalist or media organization that has done the most for press freedom in the preceding year.
Shawn McCarthy, President of the Ottawa-based Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom (CCWPF) will present the Award at a luncheon celebration beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the National Arts Centre.
"Canadian journalists work in a country of relative freedom, but we still have to be vigilant because we sometimes witness glaring examples of that freedom being threatened, and Brake's experience is one of them," said McCarthy.
Honorable Mentions
Honorable mentions will go to Mike De Souza (National Observer) and to Charles Rusnell, Jennie Russell and Gary Cunliffe of CBC Edmonton.
De Souza earned the honorable mention for relentless reporting on the National Energy Board, including revelations that the pipeline regulator hired private investigators to find out who leaked information to him.
The CBC Edmonton team is being recognized for Private Health, Public Risk?, an investigative series focusing on Pure North, the private alternative-health foundation of wealthy Calgary oilman Allan Markin, and his attempts to embed the foundation's controversial wellness program in Alberta's health-system. They have continued to publish stories while facing a defamation lawsuit.
Spencer Moore Award for Lifetime Contributions
The Spencer Moore Award for Lifetime Contributions will be awarded posthumously to Charles Morrow, co-founder and director of CCWPF who passed away on January 15, 2018. A passionate advocate of media freedom, he served as the organization's secretary for many years until his death.
"Morrow represented the organization's "corporate memory" and played a crucial role in organizing this annual luncheon celebration," said McCarthy.
This award is named in honour of the late Spencer Moore, a colleague of Morrow's and another founding director of CCWPF.
Editorial Cartoon Contest Winners
Steven Degryse of Belgium (also known as Lectrr) is the first prize winner in the 18th editorial cartoon contest, another popular feature of CCWPF's annual celebration. His editorial cartoons are published daily in De Standaard, a Belgian newspaper, and internationally syndicated by the New York Times cartoon syndicate.
Second prize winner is Emad Salehi of Azerbaijan. The third prize goes to Anne Derenne (known as Adene) of Spain. A number of Awards of Excellence will be given as well.
"We received about 415entries from 49 countries," said CCWPF director and cartoon contest coordinator Guy Badeaux who will present the prizes. Editors can access high and low resolution versions of the cartoons at:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2r5kkjdmig7q14f/AABxyhaJKgyT_IeOZhBf8gJda?dl=0
Keynote Speaker
Keynote speaker will be Daniel Dale, The Toronto Star's Washington correspondent and fact checker extraordinaire.
SOURCE Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom
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