2017 Ethnic Press Awards

2017 Ethnic Press Awards

The 2017 NEPMCC Awardees with the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lt. Governor of Ontario, and Thomas S. Saras, President and CEO, NEPMCC.
(PHOTO: JOHN SARAS)

Once again the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC) recognized members of diverse communities “for their work, efforts, enthusiasn and contribution for the creation of a better, more industrious and more progressive Canada,” thru the 2017 NEPMCC Awards held Nov. 17, 2017, at the Toronto City Hall.

Recognized were five individuals for distinguished services to Canadian multicultural communities; and another six individuals for their volunteer services. Eight journalists were recognized for their services in keeping their communities informed about Canada and Canadian culture. Also recognized were 15 newspapers from all over Canada as well as magazines for their editorial concept and visual presentation. Six electronic media, radio and television organizations were recognized for their distinguished contribution to Canadian multiculturalism and peaceful cooperation among culturally diverse communities. One Line agency was recognized for efforts to promote Canada and Canadian culture.

“This is a recognition and celebration of their considerable contributions to our democracy and to the diverse fabric of our society. Today, we salute their contributions and recognize their struggles for human rights, equal opportunities, for peace and understand, for justice and respect for all Canadians,” according to the official program of the 2017 Awards.

With the Honourable Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, 2017 NEPMCC awardee Mila Astorga-Garcia displays her Human Rights/Equity/Social Justice plaque for ‘Lifetime services rendered to journalism and the information industry.’
(PHOTO: HG)

Thanks were accorded to the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario for “her leadership, encouragement and support…by participating in the ceremony for the presentation of the Awards.”

Recognized for “Distinguished Services” were: Hon Alexandros Ioannidis; Dr. Tony Ruprecht, PhD., Shiu King Kong; Latique Qureshi; Patricia Bebia Mawa. Individual awardeeds for “Services rendered to cultural communities of Canada”: Kuru Aravinthan; Arsalan Baraheni; Saeed Hariri; Michael Homsi; Fereshteh Molavi; Paul Nguyen; Najib Tahiri. Journalists awarded for “Lifetime services rendered to journalism and the information industry”: Jonathan Baah Annobil; Milagros Astorga-Garcia; Marcelle Gideon; Cindy Gu; Yuri Natchetoi; Dumitru Popescu; Liisa Qureshi; Ngozi Ugoh.

Newspaper category for “Best Editorial/Free Expression/Concept and Visual Presentation”: “Aajkal” Abdul Goffar Syed; “Al Hadath” Saliha Mtoui; Canada Uthayan” Nagamany Logendralingam; “Ceylon Express” Nishantha Donsiyambalapitiyage; “Correio Da Manha Canada” Eduardo Vieira; “Goniec”Andrzej Kumor; “Gujarat Weekly” Lalitkuma Thakar; “Hellas News” Athanasius Kourtesis; “Le Metropolitain” Denis Poirier; “The Montreal Greek Times” Dimitri Papadopoulos; “Sri Lankan Reporter” Srimal Abeyewardene; “Urdu Post Weekly” Syed Tausif.

Magazine category for “Best Editorial Concept, Visual and Artistic Presentation”: “Discover” Leila Monteiro Lins; “Dutch/De Krant” Thomas Bijvoet; “Etc&Tal Magazine” Isa Melo; “Kiddo Magazine” Zulima Wesso Remirez; “Pure Luxury” Helen Li; “The Manitoba Chinese Tribune” Helen Wang.

Electronic Media (Radio and TV) Excellence in Production and Broadcasting”: “AiKam Media Group” Amarjit Rai; “BCI Media Inc.” Anastasios Chatzitheofanous; “Canadian Tamil Broadcasting Corporation” Sockalingam Krishnalingam; “CCTV Medium Radio” Wilson Song; “Commffest Radio”Sandie De Freitas; “F.J.R. Media Productions TV” Muhammed Enad Jurany. Online Media: “Msimulizoineline” Khalid Magram.

Other awardees: “The Indo Canadian Ties Inc.” Rue Bains; “The Celtic Connections” Maura De Freitas; : “The South Asian Link” Newspaper: R. Paul Dhilon.

The Honourable Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell and The Philippine Reporter co-publishers Hermie Garcia and Mila Astorga-Garcia.

Thomas S. Saras, NEPMCC President and CEO presents plaque to Mila Astorga-Garcia.

2017 NEPMCC Awardee Jonathan Baah Annobil (centre) with wife Gloria Aquino and kids, and Emmanuel Ayiku (right), publisher of Ghanaian News

Rosemary Sadlier, President of the Ontario Black History Society, Mila Astorga-Garcia, and Maria Saras Voutsinas, NEPMCC Executive Director.

2017 NEPMCC Awardee Dimitris Papadopoulos (centre) with (from left) John Saraidaris, Demetris Vohaitis, Maria Saras-Voutsinas, Anastasio Chatzitheofanou, Katerina Gerasklis and Vagellis Vasiliadis.