NCM announces cash prize for top story of the month - New Canadian Media
Starting November 2021, NCM is delighted to award $100 to the top story of the month.
Stories are nominated by a panel of esteemed journalists Judy Trinh, Brent Jolly and Paula Arab.
February 2022’s winner: Fabian Dawson
South Asian truckers rally for better highway conditions
About Fabian
A multiple-award winning journalist, Fabian Dawson is an internationally acclaimed author, filmmaker and media expert whose work over the last four decades spans the globe. He also serves as a consultant/strategic advisor to a variety of international companies, and now operates FD Media, which specializes in harnessing editorial assets to revenue generating opportunities.
“This was a new organisation, without a well defined media protocol to address issues put forward to them..The biggest challenge with this new organisation was that it wanted to stand apart from what other trucking associations were and they had trouble articulating that, especially as the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa hogged the headlines.
It always feels good to get recognised for your work by others in the industry.”
January 2022’s winner: Tazeen Inam
A victim of torture, blogger continues fight for human rights in Pakistan
About Tazeen
Tazeen Inam is a freelance journalist in Mississauga. Her work has been published in The Globe and Mail, iPolitcs, TVO and CBC. She holds a master’s degree in Media Studies.
“Writing the story itself was the biggest challenge as the issue is an ongoing nuisance in Pakistan, so the challenge was to help Canadian readers understand it.
I am glad that it won the “story of the month” title, and attribute it to the team that worked on the research project of immigrant and refugee journalists.”
December’s winner: Fernando Arce
Story: Immigration system under the lens in precedent-setting racial profiling case
About Fernando
“I’m a Toronto-based independent journalist but was born and raised in Ecuador. I’ve written in both English and Spanish from Canada, Mexico, Venezuela and Ecuador.
I think this story is an important lesson in why it’s important to remain connected with sources and to continually “check in” with the communities we belong to or at least want to report on.
I say that because the story actually came to me. The press release was sent to me by one of the observers who advocates for migrant workers, but with whom I had been in touch not long before that. I’ve known him for a long time in his capacity as an advocate and have interviewed him in the past. Knowing that I cover issues affecting migrant workers, he reached out.
Fostering trust-worthy relationships is the currency we trade in.
Other nominations:
Journalist-turned-historian traces roots of first Filipino-Canadian by Alec Regino
November’s winner: Alec Regino
Story: Systemic barriers keeping foreign nurses from filling shortages
About Alec
“I’m a Vancouver-based freelance journalist originally from the Philippines. My work covers immigration, drug policy, and politics.
For me, the biggest challenge covering this story was coordinating with sources remotely due to the pandemic — I had to be more conscientious and patient in bringing this story together.
I’m thrilled that this story was recognized by NCM. It gives me hope to know that others recognize the importance of these stories and builds my confidence that I’m on the right track in my journalism career.”
Other nominations:
1. Tired of being exploited, international students shame “wage thieves” by Pradip Rodrigues
2. Racism at IRCC could determine who gets in by Isabel Inclan
You can be our next winner. Please send your story pitches to admin@newcanadianmedia.ca
Write to admin@newcanadianmedia.ca to inquire about our our mentorship program.