The Canadian Journalism Foundation announces finalists for Excellence in Journalism Award

TORONTO, April 4, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Journalism Foundation is proud to announce the shortlist for its annual Excellence in Journalism Award, large-media category.

Since 1996, the CJF has celebrated news organizations that embrace ideals of journalistic excellence - accuracy, independence, accountability, courage and originality - with its annual Excellence in Journalism Award. The five finalists in the large-media category are:

The Canadian Press
The Current - CBC Radio One
The Huffington Post Canada
Toronto Star
Winnipeg Free Press

"The jury was delighted to receive such a large number of top-notch entries, the most ever," says Michael Benedict, chair of the judging panel. "While the business of journalism faces ongoing challenges, it is gratifying that striving for excellence remains a driving force for so many media." 

Recent excellence winners in the large-media category include the Toronto Star, Winnipeg Free Press, The Globe and Mail, The Canadian Press and The Hamilton Spectator.

This year's winner-and the winner in the small-media category-will be announced at the CJF 15^th Annual Awards Gala to be held at The Fairmont Royal York on June 7, 2012 in Toronto.

Also at the Gala, former ABC Nightline anchor Ted Koppel will present the CJF Annual Honorary Tribute posthumously to Peter Jennings, Canadian-born senior editor and anchor of ABC's World News Tonight, to mark his storied career.  The Lifetime Achievement Award this year will be presented to the publisher of Northern News Services, Jack Sigvaldason, in honour of his 50-year contribution to journalism.

For more information, visit http://cjf-fjc.ca/awards_excellence or contact Natalie Turvey at [e-mail] or at 416-955-0394.

About The Canadian Journalism Foundation
Founded in 1990, the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes excellence in journalism by celebrating outstanding journalistic achievement through an annual awards program; by operating journalism websites, J-Source.ca (English) and ProjetJ.ca (French), in cooperation with the country's leading journalism schools; and by organizing events that facilitate dialogue among journalists, business people, government officials, academics and students about the role of the media in Canadian society; and by fostering opportunities for journalism education, training and research. Its motto is, "As journalism goes, so goes democracy."

For further information:

Natalie Turvey
Executive Director
The Canadian Journalism Foundation
59 Adelaide St. E, 5^th floor
Toronto, ON  M5C 1K6
Phone: [phone] * Fax: [phone] * e-mail: [e-mail]