World Press Freedom Canada awards recognize those who confront secrecy, defy intimidation, and overcome dangerous obstacles in their pursuit of truth

OTTAWA, DECEMBER 1, 2025 – World Press Freedom Canada (WPFC) is pleased to announce that nominations for the 2026 Press Freedom Awards and the Career Achievement Award in honour of Spencer Moore are now open.

The annual Press Freedom Awards recognize nominees whose public interest journalism has overcome challenges such as secrecy, legal maneuvers, political intimidation or other tactics designed to stifle their work or put their career or safety at risk.

“It is more important than ever to recognize journalists who demonstrate the courage of conviction by holding the powerful to account, and who give voice to those who might otherwise go unheard by amplifying their stories and providing context for the events shaping our world. Whether they work for a major news outlet or a local newspaper, we look forward to celebrating these unflappable defenders of democracy at our annual awards luncheon,” said World Press Freedom Canada president Heather Bakken. 

WPFC will award two Press Freedom prizes: One for large-market news organization and the other a Press Freedom, Local Journalism Award for a journalist who works for a small-market news organization.

The Career Achievement Award recognizes a person who, throughout their career, has displayed an indefatigable pursuit of press freedom and transparency.

WPFC will also present our Student Achievement Award, which recognizes an outstanding student journalist who has demonstrated a commitment to press freedom.

Nominations for the student award are open to registered students at a Canadian post-secondary institution in 2025 whose work showed determination to publish a story in the face of challenges or obstacles to freely reporting on issues that matter to their school community.

All nominated works must have been published or broadcast in 2025.

The Press Freedom Award winner will receive $2,500 and a certificate from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. The winner of the local journalism prize will receive $2,500 and the Career Achievement winner will be awarded $2,500. The Student Achievement Award winner will receive $1,000. 

Recipients will be announced at our 2026 Press Freedom Awards Luncheon on April 29 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.

Nominations for all awards can be made here.

The deadline for nominations is Feb. 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.