Recognizing journalists as defenders of free speech - Announcing May 3 World Press Freedom Day Luncheon - Call for award winner nominations and submissions for cartoon contest

OTTAWA, Feb. 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom is calling for nominations for the CCWPF Press Freedom Award. The annual award recognizes a Canadian journalist who has made an outstanding contribution during the past year to the right of freedom of expression.

The award consists of a $2,000 cash prize and a certificate from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, sponsor of World Press Freedom Day. The winner will be announced May 3 during the annual World Press Freedom Day luncheon in Ottawa.

During the May 3 event, we will also award three prizes in the CCWPF's 13th annual International Editorial Cartoon contest. Guy Badeaux, vice chair of CCWPF and co-ordinator of the contest, has called for submissions on this year's theme, "Hard times and free speech."

"When journalists and cartoonists face economic uncertainty or threats to their employment, there is great pressure to give up on tackling tough stories, give in to self-censorship or give attention to sensationalist journalism in the service of commercial survival," Badeaux explained. "Can free speech withstand hard times?"

Details about the May 3 event and the cartoon competition can be found at: http://www.ccwpf-cclpm.ca

SOURCE: Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom

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