I must start by thanking the Governor-General for continuing to support journalism excellence in Canada and recognizing the vital role we play in democracy.
I’ve been told that I can’t go over 400 words here, and I have to tell you – as a person who spends their day sending out thoughts in batches of 140 characters, 400 words seems like a novella.
If this speech were to be done in a series of Tweets, I’d use six characters on the word ‘honour’.
First, it is an honour to be in the company of the country’s best journalists.
It is also an honour to be recognized by the Michener Awards Foundation, and to receive the first-ever Michener-Deacon Fellowship for Jounalism Education. It’s great to see the foundation recognizing the importance of journalism schools. I’d like to thank the committee for its brilliant selection, and assure you that as the first recipient of this fellowship I’ll be setting the bar extremely high.
In another Tweet, I’d use up eight characters to say ‘thank you’.
First and foremost, I’m thankful for the support I’ve received from the Ottawa Citizen, in particular our Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Gerry Nott. The journalists in this room are fully aware that our industry is in a period of transition and our newsroom is facing shrinking resources.
Now, I’m not going to dwell on the fact that he jumped at the chance to have me out of the newsroom for four months. Instead, I want you to know what he said when I came to him and told him of my plan to study community journalism and its effect on traditional news organizations.
“Nothing but good can come of this,” he said.
I’d also like to thank Chris Waddell and my alma mater, Carleton University. I look forward to returning to Carleton from January to May of 2013, sharing what I’ve learned since my own graduation, and making the most of life in a research environment.
Last but not least, I’d like to thank my husband D’Arcy. He was the one who told me 14 years ago to follow my gut and go into online news. He listened to my ideas and goals. He has always encouraged me to ‘just go for it.’
Thank you.
Melanie Coulson
2012 Michener-Deacon Fellowship recipient
Michener Awards ceremony
Rideau Hall
June 12, 2012