2012.05.26

 

$3,000 Gzowski literacy fellowship
open to journalists, freelancers, students

Nominations are being accepted online until June 5 for the 2012 Peter Gzowski Life Literacy Fellowship, which is open to aspiring and working journalists.

The winner will receive $3,000 in funding to help in the research and development of a media story (print, online or broadcast) with an adult literacy-themed focus. The award honours the late Peter Gzowski, a broadcaster, journalist and literacy advocate.

"Through the telling of dynamic and focused literacy stories, journalists help raise awareness of literacy in Canada and improve public understanding of this pressing cause," says Margaret Eaton, president of ABC Life Literacy Canada, which developed the fellowship.

The fellowship is open to accredited media and freelance journalists working and residing in Canada, along with current journalism students attending an accredited post-secondary institution. Details about submission criteria and the online entry form can be found at www.abclifeliteracy.ca .

Valerie Mutton, a journalist and lawyer in Bowmanville ON, was the 2011 recipient of the fellowship. She examined the impact of low literacy levels on Canada's family court system in her article, Frozen moment of judicial compassion.

"I come at literacy from two perspectives," said Valerie. "As a lawyer who sees the devastating financial and social costs of low literacy playing out in the courts each day, and also as a writer and speaker who loves language. I'm so honoured to be the recipient of an award such as this that will allow me to use my skills with the latter to bring attention to the former."

The 2012 Peter Gzowski Life Literacy Fellowship winner will be announced on Sept. 27, as part of ABC Life Literacy Canada's evening of celebration, Life Literacy Night.