Excellence Award

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The Excellence in Journalism Award honours an organization that embodies exemplary journalistic standards and practices.

It is one of the major journalistic awards of the year and the only national award given to a journalistic organization for overall extraordinary performance.

The award embraces ideals of democratic citizenship, rigorous professional practice, honesty, accuracy, independence, public accountability and initiative as well as artistry, clarity of style and high quality of presentation.

Winners in two categories are selected:
1) Large or national media
2) Small/medium or local/regional media

Entrants are asked to submit a written description explaining in 1,000 words or less how the organization ensures journalistic excellence and why it merits this award. Submissions should respond directly and succinctly to the selection criteria, and include specific examples of above-average performance and a few telling examples of published or broadcast work. 

The recipient is determined by a judging panel and will be announced at the CJF Annual Awards Gala held in Toronto on June 7, 2012.

Deadline for applications is March 1, 2012, 5:00 p.m.

Application tips:

  • Be sure to describe, specifically and succinctly, policies and practices that address all points in the excellence criteria.
  • Provide an example or two of how your organization meets each criterion.
  • When submitting clippings, tapes or links, briefly explain how each relates to specific excellence criteria.
  • Previous winners and/or applicants should indicate what has been accomplished since their last award and/or submission.

View the Winnipeg Free Press (large media) submission

Download the Excellence Award brochure

Download the French Excellence Award brochure

PAST RECIPIENTS

2011
Toronto Star
(large media)
Michael Cooke, Editor-in-Chief

CBC Manitoba
(small media)
Cecil Rosner, Managing Editor

2010
Toronto Star
(large media)
Michael Cooke, Editor-in-Chief

Metroland Durham Region
(small media)
Joanne Burghardt, Editor-in-Chief

2009
Winnipeg Free Press
(large media)
Margo Goodhand, Editor-in-Chief

The Tyee
(small media)
David Beers, Editor-in-Chief

2008
The Canadian Press
(large media)
Scott White, Editor-in-Chief

The Telegram
(small media)
Russell Wangersky, Editor-in-Chief

2007
The Hamilton Spectator
(large media)
David Estok, Editor-in-Chief

The Guelph Mercury
(small media)
Lynn Haddrall, Editor-in-Chief

2006
The Globe and Mail
Edward Greenspon, Editor-in-Chief

2005
The Hamilton Spectator
Dana Robbins, Editor-in-Chief

2004
CBC News
Tony Burman, Editor-in-Chief

2003
The Record of Waterloo Region
Lynn Haddrall, Editor-in-Chief

2002
CTV News
Kirk LaPointe, Senior Vice-President

2001
CBC - Canada Now - Winnipeg
Cecil Rosner, Executive Producer

2000
The Ottawa Citizen
Neil Reynolds, Editor

1999
Maclean's Magazine
Bob Lewis, Editor-in-Chief

1998
The Toronto Star
John Honderich, Publisher

1997
CBC Newfoundland and Labrador Television News and Current Affairs
Bob Wakeham, Area/Executive Producer

1996
The Telegraph-Journal and Evening Times-Globe of Saint John, New Brunswick
Neil Reynolds, Editor