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FOUNDATION OVERVIEW
The Foundation
The Michener Awards Foundation recognizes and promotes excellence in
Canadian public service journalism. The Foundation was established
by the late Right Honourable Roland Michener, Governor General of
Canada from 1967 to 1974. The first Michener award was presented in
1970.
The Michener Award
The Michener Award honours and celebrates outstanding public service
in journalism. Entries are judged particularly for their
professionalism and their impact on the public. Daily and weekly
newspapers, news agencies, radio and television stations and
networks and periodicals are eligible. Consideration is given to the
resources available.
There is usually only one annual winner for the Award. On occasion
and at the discretion of the judging panel, the Award has been
shared by two competing organizations on the same or related
stories. For instance, in 2007, the judges decided to honour two
newspapers for separate entries covering different phases of the
Afghan detainee issue. Split decisions may also occur if the panel
has been unable arrive at a decision between two entries judged to
be of equal merit. An entry designated as a runner-up is awarded Honourable Mention.
Citations of Merit may also be awarded by the judges to selected finalists.
The awards are to news organizations, rather than to
individuals. A comparable award in the United States is the
Pulitzer gold medal for public service by a newspaper. (entry rules)
The Michener - Deacon Fellowship
The Fellowship is named for the late Governor General and the
late Paul Deacon, a former Foundation president and generous
benefactor. The foundation provides a $30,000 study-leave fellowship
(if warranted) for a four-month period. Applicants should be mature
journalists interested in studies or programs that benefit the
community at large, and at the same time enhance their competence. (see fellowship entry rules).
The Michener Awards Foundation
Suite 1620
130 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5G4
Tel.: (613) 230-3155
Fax: (613) 236-2556
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