NEWS RELEASE
“Capturing the Arab Awakening” Al Jazeera’s Tony Burman
Canadian journalist Tony Burman will describe the challenges facing media outlets, including his own Al-Jazeera English (AJE) network, in capturing the revolutionary events of the “Arab Awakening” at the 13th annual Canadian World Press Freedom Awards luncheon in Ottawa, May 3, World Press Freedom Day.
Mr. Burman is now based in Washington as the head of strategy for the Americas for the Qatar-based Al Jazeera’s television network. Burman says that many TV sets in the White House, State Department, and the Pentagon were fixated on AJE’s coverage of the uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and elsewhere – receiving widespread praise in U.S. media circles. The former editor-in-chief of CBC News guided AJE’s growth in North America, including its launch on every major cable and satellite platform in Canada, with the worldwide audience reaching 220 million households.
At its luncheon May 3, hosted by broadcaster Don Newman, the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom (CCWPF) will present the 13th annual Press Freedom Award to a Canadian journalist who has suffered or advanced the cause of freedom of expression. The 11th annual International Editorial Cartoon Competition will also reward international cartoonists for submissions on the theme, “Wikileaks and its creators: villains or heroes?” Winning cartoons will be displayed.
The Press Freedom Award includes a cash prize of $2,000 and a certificate of honour from the CCWPF and the Canadian Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The International Editorial Cartoon Competition comprises awards of $1,500, $750 and $500.
Mr. Burman will present examples of stellar television reporting of the “Arab Awakening” and discuss the challenges to free expression in the region and to diversity of viewpoints in North America.
This year’s Awards come as violations of freedom of expression continue with 87 journalists killed in 2010. There are also new and ominous trends in the threat to free speech: last year more than 50 journalists were kidnapped for ransom or political propaganda, more than 500 were arrested, and more than 1,300 were attacked or threatened.
Tickets are available at: www.ccwpf-cclpm.ca, 613-233-1699 X 6229
Further information: Gord McIntosh, gord@110percent.ca; or Bob Carty, rcarty@sympatico.ca