AND THE WINNERS ARE…

26^th Annual Human Rights Awards

March 19, 2001

For Immediate Release

Toronto (March 19, 2001)… Last night, at a gala evening at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, the winners of the 26^th Annual Media Human Rights Awards were revealed. Along with the Awards in 7 different categories (Newspaper, Magazine, Radio, Television, Advertising/PSAs, World Wide Web, and Film) a Special Award was presented to Lynn Johnston, creator of the internationally syndicated comic strip, For Better or For Worse.

“Lynn Johnston is not only a cartoonist she is also a social commentator,” observed Rochelle Wilner, Senior Vice-President of B’nai Brith Canada who introduced Ms. Johnston. “By having her cartoon family address diversity issues in a realistic way, Lynn Johnston gives us role-models for living in our rich and varied society with consciousness and caring.” A video presentation about Lynn Johnston as well as a display of her comic strips in the lobby made it clear to the audience why she was chosen to receive the Media Human Rights Special Award.

B’nai Brith Canada considers the Media Human Rights Awards to play an important function in the work towards equality. “So much of how we learn about the world comes through the lens of the media. It takes courage and conviction for the media to delve into human rights issues as it also does for media outlets to air and publish them,” stated Dr. Lawrence Hart, President of B’nai Brith Canada. “By recognizing the media when they effectively address human rights issues we hope to foster that commitment and stimulate the discourse surrounding these topics that concern us all.”

“The Media Human Rights Awards is the flagship program of the League for Human Rights.” said Toni Silberman, Chair of the event. “The League is proud to have had such an outstanding group of submissions for this year’s adjudication. The media is clearly excited to have the opportunity to showcase this important work about which they have every right to be proud.” After an arduous process, the Adjudication Committee is proud to announce that…

the Awards go to…

Newspapers

Winner: The Hamilton Spectator for State of Mind a nine-part series exploring mental health issues.

Honourable Mentions: The Suburban Newspaper for French Parents Fight for Equal Rights in Quebec.

- The Toronto Star for City Limits.

- The Toronto Star for Lost People.

World Wide Web

Winner: Human Rights Internet for Linking the Digital Divide, a website which provides one-stop access for a variety of human rights information.

Honourable Mention: Muskoka Times Ltd. for The Saltsman Letters.

Magazines

Winner: Homemaker's Magazine for Chief Injustice, an in-depth investigation of the situation facing aboriginal women in Canada.

Honourable Mention: En Route for Growing Up.

Advertising

Winner: Glennie Stamnes Strategy for Ethical Funds, a campaign which acts as a reminder of the surprising and disturbing places invested money may end up.

Radio

Winner: CBC National Radio News for Caring on the Inside, a documentary about how ‘tough’ prisoners can show caring and compassion while learning how to take care of other inmates who are ageing or disabled.

Honourable Mention: CBC National Radio News for Brutally Frank.

Maritime Magazine - CBC Radio for Two in One.

Film

Winner: Black Spring Pictures Inc. for Shadows of War, an investigation into how a Canadian Forensic team worked to re-establish respect for human rights in Kosovo.

Honourable Mention: Guerrilla Films Inc. for Life Under Mike.

Television

Winner: CBC Winnipeg for Prairie Dreams, a study of early Black communities in the prairies of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Honourable Mention: The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network for Contact - Residential Schools.

CBC Newfoundland for The Lost People.

The League for Human Rights is a national volunteer association dedicated to combatting racism, bigotry and antisemitism. The objectives of the League include human rights for all Canadians, building inter-community relations, and the elimination of racial discrimination and antisemitism. The League accomplishes these goals through educational programs, community action and the provision of legal/legislative interventions.

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For more information, please contact:
Toni Silberman, Chair, Media Human Rights Awards: (416) 781-7290 or (416) 505-1584 (cell)
Dr. Karen Mock, National Director, LHR: (416) 633-6224 ext. 111 or (416) 802-1105 (cell)