Praise for Defenders of Press Freedom
Daniel Leblanc wins Press Freedom Award
Ottawa – May 5, 2009 — Daniel Leblanc of The Globe and Mail has won the 11th annual Press Freedom Award, presented by the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom, James Orban, Publisher of The Ottawa Citizen and Honourary Chair of the CCWPF announced today.
The Award was presented at a luncheon at the National Arts Centre hosted by Don Newman, CBC Senior Parliamentary Editor.
Mr. Leblanc was nominated by the Globe and Mail for his willingness to risk judicial censure for protecting a confidential source in the sponsorship scandal. (Listen to Daniel Leblanc acceptance speech)
Mr. Orban also announced that Brian Macleod Rogers and Paul Schabas, media lawyers nominated by the Canadian Newspaper Association, had received honorary mention from the jury in recognition of their outstanding contributions to press freedom in Canada in this past year and over the course of their careers.
In the International Editorial Cartoon Competition, the first prize of $1,500 was awarded to Aristides Esteban Hernandez Guerrero, from Cuba, for his cartoon on the theme of “Protecting Privacy?” Other awards went to Onder Onerbay from Turkey ($750), and Mahmood Nazani, Iran ($500).
(high resolution downloads are available for media outlets)
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Other nominees for this year’s Press Freedom Award were:
Reporter William Marsden, nominated by The Gazette for his reporting of a land deal involving the husband of Parti Québecois leader Pauline Marois.
Graeme Smith of The Globe and Mail, nominated by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) for his reporting on Afghanistan. Smith is credited with sparking an important debate in Canada about the moral and legal parameters of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan.
The Press Freedom Award includes a cash prize of $2,000 and a certificate of honour from the CCWPF and the Canadian Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The Globe and Mail nominated Daniel Leblanc for his stand in protecting an informant (whom he called MaChouette) whose information provided leads on the sponsorship scandal and led to the establishment of the Gomery Enquiry. “Daniel’s willingness to risk judicial censure by protecting MaChouette (his source) is an example of considerable journalistic and personal courage. Thanks to his stand, sources who expose misconduct in the future will be able to rest a little easier that their identify will remain protected,” said The Globe and Mail.
“Threats to press freedom and freedom of expression know no geographic boundaries, as this year’s nominations attest,” said CCWPF President David Gollob. “Eighty seven journalists (according to IFEX) were killed worldwide in 2008 and many others suffered threats, physical attacks and, increasingly kidnapping, including several Canadians. When powerful forces seek to muzzle a free press we all suffer.”
Sponsors of the luncheon and awards include the Brewers’ Association of Canada, TELUS, Canadian Newspaper Association, Canadian International Development Agency, the Ottawa Citizen, the University of Ottawa, Rights and Democracy, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Air Canada, Delta Media, Le Droit, Hill Times/Embassy, Canada News Wire, Thornley Fallis Communications, the National Press Club Foundation and the National Arts Centre.
Media Contacts: David Gollob (613) 301-6162 (c) dgollob@gmail.com or
Hugh Winsor (613) 296-3601 winsnews@sympatico.ca
