TORONTO, June 1, 2024
/CNW/ - The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) has awarded
this year's prestigious Charles Bury
Award to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) for their
continued commitment to ensuring the safety and security of
journalists working in some of the most dangerous environments
around the world.
"Amidst today's cacophony of global chaos, the world needs a Red
Cross for journalism," said CAJ president Brent Jolly, in presenting the award earlier
this evening at the association's annual awards ceremony at
Toronto's Reference Library.
"For decades, the CPJ has saved countless lives of journalists
while simultaneously shining a bright light on the many draconian
abuses to press freedom around the world."
In particular, Jolly referenced the organization's work in
supporting journalists working in Gaza, Ukraine, Mexico, Russia, the
Philippines – and Canada.
"Around the globe, journalists are under constant
threat – and risking their
lives – to bring us the stories that help
us better understand the world around us and the common threads we
all share as humans," Jolly said.
"Unfortunately, we now live in a time of a fraying social
contract that has put journalists in the crosshairs of public and
political derision. The criminalization of truth-telling is
becoming normalized. That holds true not just in destinations
abroad, but here, too, at home – in Canada."
Jolly cited the example of how Canadian law enforcement agencies
are increasingly defying basic and longstanding rights afforded to
journalists. These agencies are violating the Charter of Rights and
Freedoms by arresting and detaining journalists for simply doing
their job, he said.
Katherine Jacobsen, who leads the
CPJ's U.S., Canada and
Caribbean program, accepted the
award.
This award, formerly known as the President's Award, was renamed
in honour of veteran journalist and long-time CAJ board member
Charles Bury, who died in
February 2014. It recognizes both
individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to
journalism.
Last year, the Charles Bury Award
was presented to veteran Mohawk journalist Tahieròn:iohte
Dan David, longtime CBC reporter and
Anishinaabe journalist Duncan McCue,
Karyn Pugliese (aka Pabàmàdiz), a
member of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation in
Ontario, and current
editor-in-chief of Canadaland. Jody
Porter, a former CBC reporter based in Thunder Bay, Ont. was also recognized
posthumously.
Other previous winners of the Bury Award include: journalists
Jerome Turner, Jessie Winter, and Amber
Bracken for protecting the public's right to know how events
unfolded at Wet'suwet'en; late Canadian photojournalist
Zahra Kazemi and Journal de Montréal
crime reporter Michel Auger; and
Radio-Canada investigative reporter Marie-Maude Denis.
Organizations that have won the Bury Award include: the
Aboriginal People's Television Network, J-Source, Massey College, and the Canadian Media Lawyers
Association.
The CAJ is Canada's largest
national professional organization for journalists from all media,
representing members across the country. The CAJ's primary roles
are to provide high-quality professional development for its
members and public-interest advocacy.
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SOURCE Canadian Association of Journalists