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 $1,000 prize.
Press Freedom Award
past winners
Kenneth Jackson of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN)
Hon. Mention: Michael de Adder, cartoonist, N.B. and N.S. and Joan Baxter, journalist and author, N.S.
Michael Robinson of The Telegraph Journal in Saint John, N.B.
Hon. Mention: Marie-Maude Denis, of Radio-Canada’s Enquete
2018
Justin Brake, The Independent of Newfoundland and Labrador
Hon. Mention: Mike de Souza of The National Observer
Hon. Mention: Charles Rusnell, Jennie Russell and Gary Cunliffe of CBC Edmonton
2017
Patrick Lagacé, La Presse
Paul Dornstauder and Geoff Leo, CBC Saskatchewan
Hon. Mention: Paula Simons, Edmonton Journal
2016
Ben Makuch, VICE News
Hon. Mention: Josée Dupuis, Emmanuel Marchand, Radio-Canada
Hon. Mention: Linda Gyulai, Montreal Gazette
2015
Mohamed Fahmy, Al Jazeera English
2014
Katherine Gannon, Associated Press
2013
Stephen Maher and Glen McGregor, Postmedia
2012
Canadian Science Writers’ Association
2011
Citizen Lab, Toronto
2010
Michelle Lang, Calgary Herald (posthumously)
2009
Daniel Leblanc, Globe and Mail
2008
Gilles Toupin and Joël-Denis Bellavance, La Presse
2007
Tarek Fatah (author and columnist)
2006
Dr. John Hoey and Anne Marie Todkill, Canadian Medical Association Journal
2005
Juliet O’Neill, Ottawa Citizen
2004
Andrew McIntosh, National Post
2003
International Freedom of Information Exchange (IFEX)
2002
Haroon Siddiqui, Toronto Star
2001
Corinna Shuller, National Post
2000
Robert Tripp, Kingston Whig-Standard
1999
Kim Bolan, Vancouver Sun
Spencer Moore Award
past winners
The Spencer Moore Award for Lifetime Achievement is named in honour of the late Spencer Moore, founding member of the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom, who helped build the Committee and launch the annual luncheon. It is awarded to a Canadian to honour their work in pursuit of press freedom and freedom of information.
David Pugliese, The Ottawa Citizen
Ken Rubin, Freelance researcher
Charles Morrow, The Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom (Posthumously)
Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
2016
Suzanne Legault, Information Commissioner of Canada
2015
Bob Carty, CBC (Posthumously)
2014
Arnold Amber, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression