Free Press reporter named finalist for prestigious award

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This article was published 20/11/2019 (1765 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Free Press reporter who put the plight of northern justice in Manitoba on the public radar is a finalist for a major international journalism award.

Katie May is the only journalist from Canada who has been shortlisted for the Fetisov Journalism Awards, which come with a cash prize of $100,000 Swiss francs (CDN$134,334) for the winner.

May’s investigative series, “Remote life, rough justice,” has landed her one of the eight finalist spots in the contribution to civil rights category. (See the series at wfp.to/northernjustice).

While May’s series debuted in the spring, her followup work landed on the front page last week as she reported that a Manitoba judge had called for an independent review of northern courts after concluding the bail system was dysfunctional.

The Fetisov Journalism Awards are designed to support journalists who “report on the hard realities of modern life and will reinforce public recognition of trusted journalism.”

The award ceremony will be held in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Jan. 22.

“We are extremely proud of the public service journalism Katie has delivered with her reporting from Thompson, Manitoba, and the way she continues to shine a light on the injustice of the justice system for those in the north,” Free Press editor Paul Samyn said. “I am delighted that the strength of her journalism has been recognized by this major global award.”

“I’m continuing to report on access to justice issues in Manitoba knowing people are still being held in custody without a practical chance at a timely bail hearing. There are many more stories to tell,” May said.

“I’m grateful for this nomination, and the chance to bring more public attention to these issues.”