Canadian Journalism Foundation to recognize embattled journalist Maria Ressa with Tribute honour
Mar 04, 2019, 09:00 ET
TORONTO, March 4, 2019 /CNW/ - Maria Ressa, the executive editor, CEO and co-founder of the Philippine news site Rappler.com and an outspoken critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, will receive the Canadian Journalism Foundation's Tribute honour, which recognizes a journalist who has made an impact on the international stage. The honour will be presented to Ressa at the CJF Awards on June 13 at The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.
"Maria Ressa is a vital voice in a world where truth is too often at risk," says Kathy English, a CJF executive board member and public editor of the Toronto Star. "She has reported courageously on the increasingly authoritarian government of the Philippines, which has weaponized the law against her and the news company she co-founded.
"Her powerful defence of truth in the face of daunting obstacles, including threats to her life, is truly inspiring. This award recognizes Maria's courage and conviction in holding the powerful to account and upholding the press freedom democracy depends on."
Ressa has been targeted—jailed and then released on bail—for what many see as payback for her coverage and criticism of the Philippine government's extrajudicial killings as part of its war on drugs and its attempts to silence the free press. She is also known for her fight against disinformation. For her work, she was named Time magazine's "Person of the Year"—among four other persecuted journalists—and has won numerous awards around the world recognizing her courage.
A journalist in Asia for more than 30 years, Ressa has served as CNN's bureau chief in Manila and Jakarta and was CNN's lead investigative reporter focusing on terrorism in Southeast Asia. She has written two books – Seeds of Terror: An Eyewitness Account of al-Qaeda's Newest Center of Operations in Southeast Asia and From Bin Laden to Facebook. She also headed the news division of ABS-CBN, a Philippine media company.
The annual CJF Awards is a gala celebration of journalistic excellence. More than 600 journalists, media executives and business leaders honour those who have made significant contributions to journalism—both locally and on the international stage—and to recognize emerging talent.
Other awards presented at the CJF Awards include the CJF Jackman Awards for Excellence in Journalism, the CJF-Facebook Journalism Project News Literacy Award, the CJF Lifetime Achievement Award, the CJF-CBC Indigenous Journalism Fellowships, The Landsberg Award, the Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award, the Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy, the William Southam Journalism Fellowships and the Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University.
The CJF thanks the generous support of presenting sponsor Deegan Public Strategies and sponsors Labatt Breweries of Canada, Accenture, Facebook Journalism Project and CTV News. Thanks also to in-kind supporter CISION.
For tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities, see contact information below or visit the CJF Awards page.
#CJFawards
About the Canadian Journalism Foundation
Established in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation promotes, celebrates and facilitates excellence in journalism. The foundation runs a prestigious annual awards and fellowships program featuring an industry gala where news leaders, journalists and corporate Canada gather to celebrate outstanding journalistic achievement and the value of professional journalism. Through monthly J-Talks, a public speakers' series, the CJF facilitates dialogue among journalists, business people, academics and students about the role of the media in Canadian society and the ongoing challenges for media in the digital era. The foundation also fosters opportunities for journalism education, training and research.
To purchase a table or tickets for the CJF Awards, please contact:
Josh Gurfinkel
The Canadian Journalism Foundation
jgurfinkel@cjf-fjc.ca
SOURCE Canadian Journalism Foundation
For further information: Natalie Turvey, President and Executive Director, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, nturvey@cjf-fjc.ca
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