The Georgian Wins 2002 Print Media Award

The Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland .and Labrador selected the Georgian as the recipient of the 2002 Print Media Award. The award was presented in St. John's, NL as part of the Canada Post Literacy Awards on September 12.

The Print Media Award is sponsored by the Literacy Development Council to recognize the contribution of a Newfoundland and Labrador newspaper in raising the profile of literacy through its coverage of literacy news and events. The award recognizes publications that regularly carry important literacy news, stories & updates, giving the public information on literacy activities in the community. Winners of this award recognize and report on literacy events, giving literacy important exposure in the mainstream media.

The Literacy Development Council's Print Media Award goes to a recipient who has been nominated by a community stakeholder. The Georgian was nominated by the Bay St. George Literacy Council Inc. Nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges who then determined which of the candidates would receive the award. "It was a distinct pleasure to present the 2002 Print Media A ward to the Georgian," said Della Coish, Executive Director of the Literacy Development Council. "The Georgian's coverage of local literacy news demonstrates a strong commitment to literacy and illustrates the ease at which literacy awareness is improved when the media and literacy stakeholders work together to reach the public. "Please accept my sincere congratulations on behalf of the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador and the many literacy stakeholders throughout the province with whom we work.".

"We were naturally very pleased to receive this honour," says Georgian Editor John Hanratty. "In fact, it was a complete surprise. But we're only too happy to help advance the cause of literacy, and contribute in whatever way we can. All of society benefits from the effects of furthering literacy." Mr. Hanratty says the Bay St. George area is fortunate to have such an active local literacy council, and the Georgian co-operates whenever possible with the council's activities.

"Literacy is everybody's business, since it impacts on so many aspects of community life. I encourage all those who are interested to get in touch with the council to see how they can help out." Among other activities, the Bay St. George Literacy Council offers adult tutoring and also has a Books for Babies program.

Last year's winner of the Print Media Award was the Humber Log of Comer Brook, also a Robinson- Blackmore publication.

Kerry Hann, Assistant Managing Editor of Robinson Blackmore, accepted the Print Media Award on behalf of the Georgian at a ceremony in St. John's. Della Coish, Executive Director of the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Education Minister Judy Foote were among those saluting the Georgian's efforts on behalf of literacy.