Ottawa, October 13, 2011. The Michener Awards Foundation is expanding its support for journalism that serves the public interest.
Effective in 2012 the foundation will award two fellowships, one for an investigative journalism project and another for journalism education.
Michener Awards Foundation President Russell Mills said an additional fellowship has been established as a result of a commitment from the BMO Financial Group to support the Michener-Deacon Fellowship for Investigative Journalism.
This allows the foundation to fund a second fellowship dedicated to education. It will be used to support a journalist-in-residence for a semester in a recognized Canadian journalism department.
“Because traditional news media have been under financial pressure in recent years, the foundation board is particularly pleased that this new support from the BMO Financial Group and the long-standing commitment of the Deacon family will help to support the practice of good journalism in Canada,” Mr. Mills said.
The foundation continues to administer the annual Michener Award for Journalism that makes a significant impact for the public good. Since it was established in 1970 by the late Right Honourable Roland Michener, the award has been recognized as Canada’s premier award for investigative journalism that achieves results in public policy or in the lives of Canadians.
The award and the two fellowships will be presented by The Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa next year.
The foundation is pleased to be able to strengthen its support for journalism education which has always been one of its objectives.
Both fellowships provide $30,000 and $5,000 in expenses to a successful applicant. The education fellowship is designed to enhance the education of both the applicant and the students in the journalism department where the applicant will lecture and study.
Further information:
Russell Mills
613-727-4723 ext. 5179
www. Michenerawards.ca