World Press Freedom Day celebration to highlight free expression in tough times

OTTAWA, April 2, 2013 /CNW/ - On May 3, 2013, editors, writers, politicians and policymakers from across Canada will celebrate freedom of expression and its champions during a luncheon at the Ottawa Convention Centre.  

The lunch and awards ceremony mark UNESCO-designated World Press Freedom Day and will draw friends and supporters of the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom and hundreds of delegates from two national journalism conferences in the city that day. With Newspapers Canada and the Canadian Association of Journalists in town, the CCWPF has booked an over-sized room for the event.

Keynote speaker Charles Sennott, an award-winning, Boston-based journalist and media entrepreneur, will address the gathering on "Ground Truth in a Digital Age." After a uniquely dangerous year for international reporting, Sennott will explain why journalists must renew their commitment to on-the-ground reporting.  

"There is too much content aggregation from cubicles amid the decline of international news in North American newsrooms," Sennott says. "We need to push harder."

Sennott, a former foreign correspondent with the Boston Globe who has reported from around the world, is widely known as the founding editor of GlobalPost, a Peabody Award-winning news site that reflects his passion for the "ground truth."  

During the luncheon, the CCWPF will award the fifteenth annual Canadian World Press Freedom Award.  We'll also announce the winners of our International Editorial Cartoon contest. This year's theme — "Hard Times and Free Speech" — has inspired artists from around the world.  "When journalists and cartoonists face economic uncertainty or threats to their employment there is great pressure to give up on tackling tough stories, give in to self-censorship or give attention to sensationalist journalism in the service of commercial survival," says contest co-ordinator Guy Badeaux.

Tickets — $55 each or $100 for two — can be reserved by calling 613-233-1699 X 6229 or faxing 613-233-2431. For more details, visit http://www.ccwpf-cclpm.ca

SOURCE: Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom

Media Contacts:
Sue Allan (613-889-0805) [email protected]
Guy Badeaux: 613-562-7506 [email protected]
Susan Korah 613-241-4967 [email protected]