journalists from the Homework are finalists in three categories at the prestigious Canadian Newspaper Competition for stories ranging from 20 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks to domestic violence in Quebec to abuses committed by the Catholic Church.
The daily thus finds itself among the six media – out of the 19 press organs represented – which have finalists in more than one of the 22 categories in this annual competition. the Globe and Mail, The Press and the Toronto Star are among the other newspapers that have several finalists within their newsroom.
Journalist Magdaline Boutros, who is cited three times in as many categories of this competition, is particularly hailed for a series of reports produced last year in Pakistan on the sidelines of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Along with photographer Renaud Philippe, she eloquently documented the impact of the attacks on the Twin Towers and the ensuing war in Afghanistan. In Pakistan, the neighboring country of this battlefield, this sad episode in history still raises many questions.
Journalist Mark MacKinnon of Globe and Mailfinds itself in the competition in this category for an interactive report detailing in a striking way the efforts put in place last year to help the Afghans who worked for their newspaper (as well as their families) following the return of the Taliban at the helm of the country.
Domestic violence
Investigative journalist Améli Pineda is also a finalist for a series of poignant reports on domestic violence in Quebec that she produced last year with Mme Boutros. In particular, these made it possible in March 2021 to show the flaws in the judicial system with regard to domestic violence cases, while the moving testimonies collected by the two journalists made it possible to document the extent of the obstacles and suffering that meet women who are trying to flee a violent spouse or ex-spouse. The year 2021 was also marked by 17 feminicides, compared to eight the previous year.
Other finalists in this category include journalist Stefan Labbé, from Glacier Media, based in Vancouver, for reporting on climate change and the environment. Journalist Sharon Kirkey, of NationalPost, is also acclaimed for a series of reports on health issues, the area in which she specializes in the Ontario daily.
Abuses of the Church
Journalists Ulysse Bergeron and Magdaline Boutros also stood out for their important research work, which led to a meticulous report on the physical and sexual abuse perpetrated within the Quebec Catholic Church.
Thanks to a careful counting exercise, they determined that at least 9,965 people allege having been sexually or physically abused, when they were children, by more than 800 abusers within the Quebec Church, during the last decades. The two journalists also spoke to some victims who agreed to break the silence about the abuse they allegedly suffered.
journalists from the Toronto Star and Globe and Mail are finalists in this category for stories relating respectively to the investigation into the assassination of billionaires Barry and Honey Sherman and the opioid crisis in Canada.
Since 1949, the Canadian Journalism Contest has aimed to recognize “excellence in journalism” practiced by the country’s daily newspapers, as well as by community newspapers and digital media “that publish original content at least five days a week”, indicates a press release issued Friday.
In all, 869 applications were submitted for this competition for stories produced last year. Of the lot, 66 applications were selected. The winners will be announced on the evening of May 6 during a virtual event.