The
Canadian Press (CP) won the Excellence in Journalism
award in the national media category, while the Kingston
Whig-Standard received an honourable mention in the
small/local category.
CP president Eric Morrison, who accepted the CJF award
at a ceremony last night in Toronto, praised staff
and their union for their role in making the news co-operative
an innovative, quality operation. The Canadian Media
Guild, CWA Canada's largest Local, represents wire
service and radio reporters, announcers, editors, photographers,
photo editors, IT technicians, and sales staff at Canadian
Press/Broadcast News.
"We have created a culture of innovation in our
newsrooms and our staff, new recruits and veterans
alike, have embraced it," said Morrison. "But
some things never change, like the need for thorough
reporting based on solid sources; insightful storytelling
and compelling video and photojournalism — all
based on strong editors."
"We were particularly impressed," said Donna
Logan, chair of the selection jury, with how CP has "rebounded
from the loss of a major client (CanWest Global) by
re-energizing itself both journalistically and businesswise,
by expanding into new multimedia avenues while maintaining
a solid core of national and regional news."
Steve Serviss, managing editor
of the Whig-Standard, where employees are represented
by the Kingston Typographical Union, said the CJF
award "recognizes the high
quality of journalism that the entire newsroom strives
for — and produces — on a regular basis.
I'm proud to work with such a fine group of journalists.
Each member of the newsroom shares in this honour."
The Transcontinental Media-owned Telegram, in St.
John's, NL, won the top prize in the small, medium
or local market category. The Winnipeg
Free Press took
honourable mention in the large/national category.
The CJF says the Excellence
in Journalism award "embraces
ideals of democratic citizenship, rigorous professional
practice, honesty, accuracy, independence, public accountability
and initiative as well as artistry, clarity of style
and high quality of presentation."
With files from The Canadian Press, Kingston Whig-Standard
Two news operations whose employees
are members of CWA Canada have won honours from the