Press Release
TORONTO, June 12, 2024 – The Winnipeg Free Press is this year’s recipient of the CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism in the large-media category, open to media with more than 50 newsroom employees. The Free Press received the award tonight at the annual Canadian Journalism Foundation Awards.
Named in honour of CJF founder Dr. Eric Jackman, this annual excellence award since 1996 recognizes news organizations, large and small, that embrace ideals of journalistic excellence – originality, courage, independence, accuracy, social responsibility, accountability and diversity—with a resulting positive impact on the communities they serve.
The CJF honoured The Winnipeg Free Press for The Inquest Files, which reported on two decades of inquests into fatal shootings involving several Manitoba police forces. This series examined the barriers and delays faced by one Anishnaabe family to participate in an inquest, exposing how expert witness testimony favours law enforcement and revealing judges’ unwillingness to make tangible recommendations. It is the second time the independent newspaper received the Jackman Excellence award
In the small-media category, The Montreal Gazette won for a series highlighting the preventable nature of six deaths at the Lakeshore General Hospital emergency room and exposing how the West Island Health Authority covered up the circumstances surrounding these deaths: Staff haunted by suicide at the Lakeshore Hospital ER; Whistleblowers flagged deaths at Lakeshore ER multiple times and Premier “shielded” from harsh realities of Lakeshore ER, sources say. It is the first time the Gazette has received a Jackman award.
Held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, the CJF Awards brought together more than 500 journalists, media executives and business leaders from across Canada to celebrate journalistic achievements of the past year.
Among the evening’s other honourees:
Additionally, the following previously announced bursary, fellowship and other award recipients were recognized at the event.
Special CJF honorees included Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Phillip Crawley, in recognition of his inspiring leadership at the helm of one of Canada’s flagship newspapers. David Thomson, Chairman of Thomson Reuters and The Woodbridge Company, presented the Award to Crawley, who steered the Globe and Mail to new heights of excellence during his 25-year tenure as its CEO and publisher. During this time, the newspaper became synonymous with groundbreaking journalism, investigative reporting and fearless coverage of critical issues shaping the nation and the world.
In addition, media icon Kara Swisher was honoured with the CJF Tribute, presented by award-winning business journalist and author Jacquie McNish, in recognition of Swisher’s trailblazing journalism career, fearlessly speaking truth to power within the technology industry.
The evening also featured the CJF’s annual In Memoriam tribute to journalists who have passed over the preceding year
Omar Sachedina, Chief News Anchor and Senior Editor for CTV NATIONAL NEWS, hosted the awards ceremony.
The CJF also launched its book documenting its own history at the awards. Entitled, As Journalism Goes, So goes Democracy, A History of the Canadian Journalism Foundation, this book documents the history of the foundation since its 1990 launch and tells the story of the evolution of Canadian journalism over the past three decades. The CJF thanks its founder, Dr.Eric Jackman, for his generous support of this book.
The CJF is grateful for the generous support of presenting sponsor CIBC for its awards evening.
The CJF also thanks sponsors Google News Initiative, Rogers, Labatt Breweries of Canada, MobSquad, Canadian Medical Association, McCain Foods, Sobeys Inc., Canadian Bankers Association, FGS Longview, Aritzia, BMO Financial Group, KPMG Canada, RBC, CTV News, Canada Life, Scotiabank, Accenture, TD Securities, Davies, Apple Canada News, The Balsillie Family Foundation, Maple Leaf Foods, Loblaw Companies Ltd., CDPQ, Woodbridge Company, Aga Khan Development Network, Tom’s Place, Ontario Schools Cricket Association, Bennett Jones LLP, Canadian Women’s Foundation, Blakes, Sunnybrook Foundation, Desjardins, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Power Corporation, Jackman Foundation, Zai Mamdani-Mamdani Family Trust and Rishi Nolan Strategies, Massey College.
Thanks also to Porter Airlines, The Globe and Mail, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, The Canadian Press, Bespoke Audio Visual and CISION for their in-kind contributions.
Cision is the exclusive distribution partner of the CJF.
About the Canadian Journalism Foundation
Founded in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) fosters excellence in journalism through the support and recognition of emerging and experienced journalists and their organizations and enhances the public’s understanding of fact-based journalism. The CJF facilitates dialogue about the role of journalism in Canadian society and the ongoing challenges for journalism in the digital era through its J-Talks public speakers series, which are hosted at venues across Canada and online. The Foundation recognizes excellence in journalism through its prestigious awards programs, which are showcased at the CJF’s annual gala. Through its fellowships programs, the Foundation provides opportunities for journalism education, training and research to encourage a diverse Canadian media. #CJFawards
For further information: Media Contact Information: Natalie Turvey, President and Executive Director, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, nturvey@cjf-fjc.ca, www.cjf-fjc.ca
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