About the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom (CCWPF)
The Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom succeeded Ottawa’s National Press Club in its role of monitoring press freedom issues nationally and globally. The Committee was incorporated as a non-profit body in 2008 with the mission of continuing to celebrate World Press Freedom Day and to advocate on behalf of freedom-of-expression. Through its activities, its vigilance and its relations with like-minded organizations, it shall bring to the public’s attention instances of free expression violations and the need to pro-actively defend the ideal of freedom of the press.
At the World Press Freedom Day luncheon in Ottawa, an annual event since 1998, awards are presented to Canadian media workers who have made significant contributions to the cause. The winner, picked by a prestigious jury of current and former journalists, receives a $2,000 prize. Past winners have included the Vancouver Sun’s Kim Bolan, Haroon Siddiqui (Toronto Star), Andrew McIntosh (National Post), Tarek Fatah (Canadian Islamic Congress), and John Hoey (Canadian Medical Journal), IFEX, Daniel Leblanc and Michelle Lang.
An important highlight of the Ottawa Awards Luncheon event is the recognition of editorial cartoonists from around the world who have used images and words to make powerful commentary on world issues. The International Editorial Cartoon Competition receives hundreds of entries every year, often from countries where press freedom is not a reality but a distant dream.
For more information:
Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom
Suite 802 – 350 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7S8
