The National NewsMedia Council, in partnership with Journalists for Human Rights, is pleased to announce the opening of the fourth annual Fraser MacDougall Prize for Best New Voice in Canadian Human Rights Reporting.

The prize is awarded to an exceptional piece of student journalism, with a human rights focus, that is published in campus-based media during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Winners (typically, the story’s writer and editor) receive a cash prize of $1,000. Previous award winners of the Fraser MacDougall Prize have gone to young journalists from The Varsity, The Queen’s Journal, and Capital Current.

In pre-COVID times, young journalists would be recognized for this achievement at the annual Journalists for Human Rights Gala, held in Toronto. Winners will be celebrated as soon as in-person events resume post-pandemic.

This award is made possible by a generous endowment to the National NewsMedia Council by the family of the late Fraser MacDougall, who had a distinguished career in journalism, chiefly with the The Canadian Press. Later in life, he was the first executive secretary of the former Ontario Press Council.

This year’s competition is open on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Submissions will be accepted until Monday, May 3, 2021 at 23:59 EST.

To apply for this year’s award, please include the following items in your application:

• A copy of the story, in either print or digital format
• The names of the principle writer and editor who worked on the story
• A one page note to jury members that contains information on:
  • What kind of human rights issue was addressed
  • Why this story was important to its readers/community
  • What changes, if any, came because of the story’s publication
  • Any other information about the editorial process you think is worthy of consideration by judges

Queries about the award can be directed to Brent Jolly, the NNC’s director of community management. He can be reached at: bjolly@mediacouncil.ca