City editor John Douglas accepts 1991 Citation of Merit award from Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn on behalf of the Winnipeg Free Press.
The newspaper was honoured for exposing sexual abuse and exploitation of residents at several Manitoba adolescent treatment centres. Its coverage provided the impetus for a government review and a government statement that child protection is now its No.1 priority.
The award was presented during a ceremony held at Rideau Hall, May 5, 1992.
Launched in 1970 under the auspices of Canada’s third Canadian governor general, the late Roland Michener, the award focuses on the degree of public benefit generated by media projects, both large and small, in print and broadcast. The annual award is open to daily and weekly newspapers, news agencies, radio and television stations and networks, as well as periodicals. The winners are chosen on the basis of hard-hitting impact, journalistic professionalism, and the resources available for the project.