About the Annual World Press Freedom Day Awards Luncheon and International Cartoon Competition
Ever since May 3 was dedicated as World Press Freedom Day by UNESCO, organizations around the globe have held events around this date to honour media workers who have sacrificed life and liberty to bring their stories to the public.
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).
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.
Sponsors of the Ottawa WPFD luncheon include the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the Ottawa Citizen, the Canadian Newspaper Association (CNA), the Brewers’ Association of Canada, Air Canada, the Bank of Montreal, the Hill Times/Embassy, and many more.
For more information:
Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom
Suite 405 – 350 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1R 7S8
