On October 23, the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression held their annual gala: A Night to Celebrate Courage in Journalism. On behalf of CWA Canada and the CMG, I had the honour of presenting the CJFE Arnold Amber Award for Investigative Journalism to Luke LeBrun “who shines a powerful light on who is behind the growing influence of far-right media, putting names and faces to those who live in the shadows,” commends the CJFE.

Rana Ayyub, an investigative journalist from India and a Global Opinions Writer at The Washington Post was recognized for “her reporting that holds governments to account while staunchly defending press freedom”. She received the CJFE International Press Freedom Award.

The other CFJE honouree, Palestinian photojournalist Samar Abu Elouf is a war journalist. “For more than a decade, Samar has captivated the world with her portraits that reveal the harsh realities of war and displacement alongside moments of joy and resilience. Her latest work, documenting the war in Gaza since October 7, 2023, has earned critical acclaim, including the 2024 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award and a George Polk Award,” writes the CJFE.

“My job isn’t to hide, it’s to photograph. Even when everyone around you is screaming, covering their ears as the missiles are dropping and they’re trying to find a place to hide, you don’t look down or look for safety, you focus on them.”

Samar Abu Elouf

Let us not forget that since October 7, 2023 and as of November 5, 2024, over 140 journalists have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli army, according to RSF’s Count. At least 34 were killed while working. What is happening in Gaza is a reminder of the essential role played by journalists in exposing atrocities in war zones and holding those responsible to account. 

Freedom of expression lies in the ability to hold those in power to account and is an essential part of a healthy society.

Here in Canada, we are also fighting, although to a much lesser extent, for our freedom of expression. Canadian journalists are not being killed, but they are being laid off and the number of outlets where they can publish their work is dwindling at an alarming rate.

The work that you all do as individual members of our union when you wear a t-shirt in solidarity during bargaining or step forward to serve on your Location Unit Executive Committee is essential for that freedom. We as union members must work together to advocate for our rights to fair pay for fair work in a world of ever-changing technology innovations and conditions.

To keep pace with technological innovations, the CMG has partnered with researchers at HEC Montréal who are conducting a study on the use of AI in Journalism. Whether you use AI or not, love it or hate it, I encourage you to fill out the 20 minute survey to make your views and experiences with AI count.

I’m also proud to add that the CMG has a new Indigenous Scholarship to encourage young First Nations, Innuit, and Metis to become journalists and join us in holding the powerful to account.

In solidarity,
Annick  Forest, President Canadian Media Guild