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Who we are | What we do | Why it is so important
Who we are
Founded in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) is a not-for-profit organization that exists to support and reward excellence in Canadian journalism and to act as a catalyst for co-operation and understanding between leading public and private organizations and the media.
The Canadian Journalism Foundation attracts presidents, CEOs and senior executives from Canada's leading institutions. CJF's Executive Committee, Advisory Board, and Board of Governors include high-level representatives from corporations, media organizations, academic institutions, professional associations, and some of Canada's leading charitable foundations. CJF is built on the commitment of these inspired and influential individuals who lend their time and expertise to furthering CJF's mission.
What we do
The Canadian Journalism Foundation is uniquely positioned to act as the forum for discussion on the role of the media in Canadian society through its ability to bring together sectors of society with the media for open and honest dialogue.
Our programs, in the form of panel discussions and other forums, are targeted at journalists, media executives, as well as academic and business leaders to help illuminate current issues or concerns.
Our annual awards program recognizes and encourages excellence in journalism as well as providing unique professional development opportunities for Canadian journalists. The Excellence in Journalism Award is presented to a journalistic organization for exceptional work. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding lifetime contribution to journalism in Canada. The Canadian Journalism Fellowships, held at the University of Toronto's Massey College, offers mid-career journalists an opportunity to re-evaluate and refresh their careers in an exciting academic atmosphere. The Greg Clark Award is designed to offer working journalists, early in their career, a professional development opportunity which will allow them to gain insight, strategic information and meet key decision-makers in a sector or issue they regularly cover.
These awards are all presented at the Canadian Journalism Foundation Annual Awards Gala which brings together a divergent group of people to honour the best in Canadian journalism.
Why it is so important
Canadians need the best available information in order to make sound decisions about the issues that shape our society. Access to in-depth, authoritative information is vital to the democratic process.
As Canadians' primary source of information about today's complex and challenging issues, the media play a pivotal role in shaping public decision making. Media are challenged to fulfill their role of providing intelligent, incisive information. They need access to the knowledge and insights of experts. They need to gain greater understanding of the issues and forces that underlie policy and decision making in the private, non-profit and public sectors. They need opportunities to exchange ideas and perspectives with others both in and outside their field.
The Canadian Journalism Foundation creates these opportunities by working with media and non-media organizations to improve the quality of public information through excellence in journalism. Our forums offer high-level, in-depth dialogue and debate. The result: Powerful ideas and insight that contribute to knowledge and influence understanding.