Left to Right: Broadcaster Rafe Mair, radio station CKNW, Vancouver; Paul Wilson, publisher, the Sault Star; John Sullivan, editor, Winnipeg Free Press; former Governor General Roland Michener; André Préfontaine, managing editor, Le Droit; His Excellency the Right Honourable Ray Hnatyshyn; Her Excellency Gerda Hnatyshyn; Bob Verdun, editor and co-owner of the Elmira Independent; Don Babick, publisher, Edmonton Journal; Jock Ferguson, 1991 Michener Fellowship recipient; Belle Hatfield, senior writer, Yarmouth Vanguard; Harvey Oberfeld, reporter, BCTV, Vancouver.
The Michener Award for meritorious public journalism, sponsored by the Michener Awards Foundation, was launched in 1970 under the auspices of the late Roland Michener, then governor general. The award is for outstanding and disinterested public service in journalism. It is presented annually to a news organization - newspapers, broadcasting stations and networks, news agencies and periodicals are eligible - rather than an individual.