The Globe & Mail Wins 2013

John Syrnick Journalism Award

By John Pidkowich

1 - L. to R.: Dr. Christine Turkewych, Andrew Hladyshevskyj, John Stackhouse, John Doyle, Senator Raynell Andreychuk, Irena Bell, Christina Isajiw, Roman Senkus

2 - Senator Raynell AndreychukThe Globe & Mail, billed as “Canada’s National Newspaper”, received the John Syrnick Award for Journalism, sponsored by Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko. Andrew Hladyshevskyj, Q.C., Shevchenko Foundation President, and Senator Raynell Andreychuk presented the award, accepted by John Stackhouse, Editor in Chief at The Globe & Mail on April 24, 2013 at Massey College, University of Toronto. Also present was The Globe’s writer John Doyle, who along with Brian Bonner, Derek Fraser and John Stackhouse contributed news and commentary articles covering the 2012 Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine.

The presentation program started with a welcome by MC Irene Mycak, Shevchenko Foundation Board Member, followed by greetings by Mr. Hladyshevskyj with attention directed not just to the award plaque under a spot light, but also, to a gift set of the Encyclopaedia of Ukraine for The Globe & Mail’s future reference.

The Globe is now the fifth recipient of the biennial Syrnick Award, selected from a list of Canadian print media reporting and writing on issues of interest, and significant to over one million Ukrainian Canadians.

3 - John StackhouseDr. Christine Turkewych, Chair of the Selection Committee provided an overview of the adjudication process, named the Committee members comprised of nine academics and Ukrainian Canadian community leaders, and introduced those of members present: Roman Senkus, Director, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies Publications; Christina Isajiw, Ukrainian Canadian Research & Documentation Centre; and Irena Bell, producer and host of Ottawa CHIN Radio Ukrainian Hour.

According to Dr. Turkewych: “The committee selected The Globe & Mail for coverage of the 2012 [Parliamentary] Elections in Ukraine with well researched and thoroughly written articles of importance and relevance to all Canadians…” Brian Bonner, Chief Editor at Kyiv Post, wrote a world news article special to The Globe on October 26, 2012 - Ukraine Elections: In Ukraine, voters choose: Democracy or dictatorship. John Doyle wrote his world news article from Kyiv on June 11, 2012 - Euro 2012: Let the political games begin. The Hon. Derek Fraser, diplomat and Chief Observer for the Ukrainian World Congress Election Observation Mission wrote his commentary just after the October 28 elections, and printed on October 30, 2012 - We must not give up on Ukraine, John Stackhouse, Globe Editor in Chief, wrote a commentary from Kyiv on September 6, 2012 - Ukraine: pariah or partner, and saw to the printing of the Globe Editorial on October 7, 2012 - Ukraine’s commitment to democracy in question.

4 - Irene MycakIn her keynote address, Senator Andreychuk commended The Globe & Mail for their writers’ articles covering issues around the 2012 elections. Their adept ability and professional approach resulted in fine reading material shedding better light on fine points and details on matters which she is most familiar with as Canada’s head of the Election Observer Mission, both to the 2010 presidential and 2012 parliamentary elections in Ukraine.
        

In his acceptance remarks on behalf of The Globe & Mail, Mr. Stackhouse underlined his pride to be associated with the newspaper’s high standards in journalism, in the integrity of their journalists and reporters, whose contributions together with his efforts both as editor and editorial writer, placed great importance on covering Ukraine’s elections and future direction, and its relevance to all Canadians.

Guests and were invited to remain and continue with the reception in appreciation of the Syrnick Award Winner and for the hard work of the selection and organizing committees. The attractive Common Room and amiable full light and glass view overlooking Massey College’s central quadrangle, reflecting pool and fountains created a stimulating atmosphere for socializing and some thoughtful remarks, all made more conducive by the fine background playing on the violin by Stefanie Hutka of Strings in Motion.

Past distinguished Syrnick Award recipients include Mark McKinnon (The Globe & Mail), Victor Malarek (W5), Winnipeg Free Press, and Frederick Lavoie (La Presse of Montreal).


5 - Dr. Christine TurkewychPHOTOS

1 - L. to R.: Dr. Christine Turkewych, Andrew Hladyshevskyj, John Stackhouse, John Doyle, Senator Raynell Andreychuk, Irena Bell, Christina Isajiw, Roman Senkus

2 - Senator Raynell Andreychuk

3 - John Stackhouse

4 - Irene Mycak

5 - Dr. Christine Turkewych