L to R: Social justice reporter Laurie Monsebraaten; feature writer Leslie Scrivener; science reporter Kate Allen; Her Excellency Sharon Johnston; His Excellency David Johnston; Michael Cooke, Toronto Star Editor; associate editor, foreign, Lynn McAuley; Russell Mills, President, Michener Awards Foundation.
The Toronto Star series on autism focussed on the failure of Ontario’s health and social policies to address the challenges faced by those afflicted with the illness. The photo was taken following the Michener Award ceremony held at Rideau Hall on June 18, 2013.
The first award covered the calendar year 1970. Since then, a rich variety of news organizations have had their names inscribed on Michener trophies – print and broadcast, large and small, French and English, East and West. The Michener was also the first national journalism award open to both broadcast and print media. The award goes to the news organization itself, rather than the individual journalists involved in the story.