Media Awards

One of the ways Beyond Borders seeks to raise awareness about sexually exploited youth is to support the media in its coverage of this complex issue.

In an effort to commend journalists for exemplary work in this area and in an attempt to encourage others, Beyond Borders has established annual Canadian Media Awards.

The Beyond Borders Media Awards are generously supported by The Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Booth Dennehy Law Offices, CNW Group and many private donors.

Criteria

The Beyond Borders Media Award is based on criteria comprising the following:

Increased awareness
The submission provides the audience with accurate information that highlights the dynamics and realities of sexual exploitation. It may provide new insights or uncover underlying causes of the issue. The coverage may lead to further journalistic investigation of the story or support legislative or policy changes to better address the issue.

Quality of work
The submission is well researched and balanced in its approach. It is well written and in the case of broadcast, has high production values. It may use innovative or dramatic techniques that reinforce the message included in the coverage.

Respectful
The submission uses respectful language that does not denigrate or cast blame upon those victimized through sexual exploitation.

The piece must not contravene the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child that stipulates guidelines for media in covering issues related to the abuse of children. Submissions must represent the issue in a clear and balanced manner that does not sensationalize the abuse of children in any way.

Categories

New for 2008: Beyond Borders will present an award to an English language nominee and a French language nominee in each category.

Print
News or feature article that covers issues related to the sexual exploitation of children and/or youth.

Television and Radio
News, feature story or documentary that covers the issues related to the sexual exploitation of children and/or youth.

Awards

Beyond Borders will make one award in each category annually. The award will consist of a monetary offering as well as an engraved item.

Nominations

Nominations may be submitted by the individual writer or producer, or others on his or her behalf with permission of the writer or producer. A completed Beyond Borders nomination form must be submitted for each entry.

Entrants must agree to have their award publicized in the Canadian media, on the Beyond Borders website as well as its newsletter.

Download 2008 Media Awards Nomination Form

Deadlines

Deadline for submission is September 15 annually. Air/publication date up to and including September 1 of each year will be considered. Beyond Borders will announce the award on November 20 to coincide with Universal Children's Day.

Judges

There will be three individuals selected each year by Beyond Borders to adjudicate the submissions. Judges will not be directly affiliated with Beyond Borders but will have demonstrated a keen understanding of the issue of the sexual exploitation of children/youth as well as media.

Each of the three judges will reside in separate geographical areas of Canada.

The judges must reach a unanimous decision with respect to their selection. Tied awards will not be allowed but judges may name an honourable mention in lieu of a tie.

View Media Awards Profile of Judges

NATIONAL MEDIA AWARD WINNERS

2007 -— Print Category:

Mark Bonokoski for an article entitled, The Master Seducer, which was published in Maclean’s magazine in May 2007.

2007 -— Electronic Category:

Meredith Ralston, of Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, for her riveting documentary, Selling Sex in Heaven, which aired on CBC Newsworld’s The Lens in January 2007.

View Media Release           View Photos

2006 — Print Category (Tied):

Allison Hanes (formerly with The Gazette, now with National Post), for series of articles for The Gazette about the issue of child sexual abuse images on the Internet.

Mike McIntyre (The Winnipeg Free Press) for his coverage of the horrendous story of two children abducted by convicted child sex offender, Peter Whitmore.

2006 — Electronic Category:

Diego Briceño-Orduz (PÉRIPHÉRIA PRODUCTIONS INC.) for his documentary, Souvenir Kids, which aired on the CBC’s The Passionate Eye offering the viewer an in-depth look at the issue of child sex tourism. For more information go to: www.peripheria.ca

2005 — Kim Bradley, Columnist, The Toronto Sun, series on Internet Luring,
“The Dark Side of the Net”

2004 — Daphne Bramham, Columnist, The Vancouver Sun, for her amazing series on child brides in Bountiful, British Columbia

2003 — Kim Bradley, Columnist, The Toronto Sun, for her exhaustive report on child pornography.

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