Beyond Borders awards journalists at dual ceremonies

At dual ceremonies, one in Quebec City and one in Winnipeg, Beyond Borders honoured Canadian journalists covering the issue of child sexual exploitation. The ceremonies took place on November 20. Four journalists were selected from among 16 nominees to receive this year's Media Awards.

"This year's award winners are truly outstanding journalists," states Deborah Zanke, chair of the awards. "Their investigative journalism uncovers information and issues vital to our understanding of what it will take to address the issue of child sexual exploitation. It's important to honour this work as it plays a central role in public awareness and government action."

Michael Friscolanti won the award in the English print category for his article published in Maclean's magazine entitled, "A national embarrassment". The article exposes the gaps and shortcomings of Canada's National Sex Offender Registry.

The English electronic award went to Julian Sher (Joe Media Group) for his documentary, Hunting the Predators, which aired on CBC Newsword's Doc Zone. The documentary delves into the dark world of Internet child sexual exploitation and how this medium demands new techniques and infrastructure for protecting children.

For the first time, Beyond Borders honoured French language journalists in a separate category.

The French print award went to Stéphane Alarie and Gabrielle Duchaine for a series of articles in Le Journal de Montréal on child sexual exploitation online. The series had an unquestionable impact on awareness about this issue.

Raymonde Provencher won the award in the French electronic category for her documentary, "Le déshonneur des Casques bleus." The documentary, airing on Radio Canada/RDI and CBC, uncovers the issue of the sexual abuse of children overseas by UN soldiers sent to aid and protect them.

About Beyond Borders

Beyond Borders is a non-political, non-religious volunteer organization that advances the rights of children to be free from abuse and exploitation without regard to race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. It is the Canadian affiliate of the international NGO ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes.) http://www.ecpat.net.

For more information about the awards and to learn more about Beyond Borders visit www.beyondborders.org.

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