Journalists fighting for press freedom, social justice honoured

Journalists fighting for press freedom, social justice honoured

2023 World Press Freedom Day Awardees by the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada (NEPMCC), with Ontario Minister Kinga Surma; President and CEO Thomas S. Saras; Awards Chair and Ombudsman, Dr. Mohammad Tajdolati and other guests. Photo: El Centro Newspaper

Ethnic Press Council of Canada hosts World Press Freedom Day

By Patricia Gabrielle Dolor

The Philippine Reporter

On Friday, May 19, 2023,  he National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada commemorated Press Freedom Day at Toronto City Hall by recognizing that journalists all over the world who are under attack, including the 389 journalists currently in prison, and honoured journalists from nation to nation that uphold the fight for justice, truth, and social justice.

Journalists speak truth to power. In Canada, we are lucky enough to have free speech unlike many other countries, and being here as journalists – we have the “free capacity to speak the truth”.  In Canada, we can speak on abuses, injustices and not be detained. A lot of fellow journalists in other countries don’t share the same privilege.

There were, and are journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty practising their profession. In fact, attacks on journalists and hostility against the press is at an all-time high.

From left, Ernesto Donan, Susana Donan (both of El Centro Newspaper), Mila Astorga-Garcia, Hermie Garcia and Thomas Saras, President and CEO of National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada. Photo: El Centro

The event was dedicated to the ethnic press in Canada, including Hermie and Mila Garcia – publisher and editor and managing editor of The Philippine Reporter, respectively. Hermie and Mila were granted the Press Freedom Award for the work they put in uplifting the Filipino-Canadian community and fighting for social justice, all while protecting and championing freedom of expression, and further educating the masses of the ongoing issues that Filipinos from Canada and Philippines face. They do it with integrity and eloquence.

The event continued with awarding various recipients that value and practice the true ethics of journalism.

Following are the awardees: Hon. Joseph Volpe, Dim Islam, Chris Campbell, Richard Moriah, Hassan Zerehk, Hermie Garcia, George Gousmas-Bakoyannis, Martha Pinzon, Nilloofar Hamedi, Elahe Mohammadi, Mila Astorga-Garcia and Vesna Nedic.

Music played over the steady noise of journalists, community members, and politicians alike as people made their way to grab food, and converse – sharing stories, exchanging contacts, and enjoying the communal efforts of fighting for social change.

It is our duty to help shape a world where journalists are encouraged, and free to speak on the truth. To speak for vulnerable peoples and marginalized communities. To have the capacity to freely express.

From left, Ricky Castelvi, Vice President for Public Relations, and Maria Voutsinas, Executive Director, NEPMCC. Photo: El Centro Newspaper

Exiting Toronto City Hall, the Filipino Canadian delegation to the World Press Freedom Day commemoration. From left, Joe Rivera, Rick Esguerra, Patty Rivera, Claudine Lucente, Hermie Garcia, Mila Astorga-Garcia, Lui Queaño, Chat de Leon and Nova Rellosa de Leon.