Canadian Association of Journalists Announces 2025 Awards Finalists
Event summary
- The Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ) announced finalists for its 2025 awards, with winners to be revealed at a gala on June 13, 2026.
- Judges selected from a record 561 submissions across various categories, highlighting investigative and community journalism.
- Two new awards were introduced: the Janice Johnston Award for Crime and Justice Reporting and the Geoffrey Stevens Award for Local Government Reporting.
- The CAJ's national conference theme is 'Power, Platforms and the Press', emphasizing the role of journalism in democracy.
The big picture
The CAJ's 2025 awards finalists reflect a strong emphasis on investigative and community journalism, underscoring the critical role media plays in upholding democratic values. The introduction of new awards highlights emerging areas of focus within the industry, such as crime justice reporting and local government accountability. As digital platforms reshape news consumption, traditional journalism organizations are leveraging awards to reinforce their commitment to public-interest reporting.
What we're watching
- Investigative Focus
- Whether the depth and ambition of investigative journalism will continue to grow in response to public demand for accountability.
- Community Reporting
- How local and community journalism will evolve in the face of increasing challenges, including funding and accessibility.
- Industry Recognition
- The impact of awards like these on the visibility and sustainability of quality journalism in Canada.