Washington Post's award-winning cartoonist to address Ottawa press freedom luncheon

OTTAWA, March  29,  2017 /CNW/ - Ann Telnaes, The Washington Post's Pulitzer prize-winning cartoonist and President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, will be the keynote speaker at this year's World Press Freedom Day luncheon and Awards Presentation on May 2. Telnaes will speak on "Donald Trump's Dysfunctional Relationship with the Press: A Cartoonist's View."

The annual luncheon, hosted by the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom (CCWPF) in partnership with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, recognizes the ongoing struggle for journalistic freedom by honouring winners of the annual Press Freedom Award and International Editorial Cartoon contest.

This year's celebration will take place on Tuesday, May 2 at 11:30 am at the Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel Ballroom.

A passionate advocate of free speech, Telnaes won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning in 2001, becoming the second female cartoonist to achieve this distinction. The Stockholm-born artist creates editorial cartoons in various media: animation, visual essays, live sketches and traditional print.

The Ottawa luncheon will also recognize a Canadian journalist or media worker who has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom over the course of 2016. Nominations for the award were received from across the country, from both French and English media, and from print, broadcast and digital outlets both large and small.

"Last year, we saw increasing attacks on press freedom at home and abroad, and need to be even more vigilant in defence of this fundamental pillar of our democracy," said Shawn McCarthy, President of CCWPF.

Past winners of the annual press freedom award include: Ben Makuch, (VICE News); Mohammed Fahmy (Al Jazeera English); and Katherine Gannon (Associated Press).

At the May 2 luncheon, McCarthy will also announce the winners of the 17th International Editorial Cartoon contest. This year's theme is "fake news."

 The Spencer Moore Award for Lifetime Contributions to Press Freedom and Freedom of Information, named after one of the founding members of the CCWPF, will also be presented.

Tickets to the lunch are $65, or $120 for two. Sponsorship opportunities at the gold and silver levels, as well as special prices for tables of eight, are available.

For ticket and sponsorship information, please see: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/19th-annual-world-press-freedom-day-awards-luncheon-tickets-32899334796 

SOURCE Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom

For further information: Shawn McCarthy, president, Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom: 613 566-3607; email: [e-mail]; Christina Spencer, board member, CCWPF: 613 596-3559; email [e-mail]; Janice Tibbetts, board member, CCWPF: 613-233-3181; [e-mail]

Related Links

http://www.ccwpf-cclpm.ca