Jim Poling, managing-editor of the Hamilton Spectator, accepts the 2010 Michener Citation of Merit from Governor General David Johnston on behalf of his newspaper. The photo was taken during the Michener Award ceremony held at Rideau Hall on June 14, 2011.
The Spectator was honoured for its ‘Code Red’ series which provided hard data for government and agencies to address problems of poverty and health, mobilized other agencies to help people in need and became a key issue in the municipal election.
The distinction between the Michener Award and other media awards is primarily the emphasis on the degree of arm’s-length public benefit that is generated. Journalistic excellence alone is not enough. Other criteria include the resources available to the news organization – an effort to level the playing field for small, medium, and large-size organizational applicants.