Canadian Journalism Foundation Awards Internship to Freelance Photojournalist

Event summary

  • Keito Newman, a freelance photojournalist based in Ottawa–Gatineau, has been awarded the 2026 Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award.
  • The award, a partnership between The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) and The Canadian Press (CP), includes a six-week paid internship at CP's Toronto headquarters.
  • The award is named in memory of late CP photographer Tom Hanson and aims to support early-career photojournalists.
  • The selection committee comprised a mix of industry professionals, including past award winners and representatives from CP and the CJF.

The big picture

The Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award highlights the ongoing struggle to support visual journalism in Canada, a sector facing declining revenues and a challenging talent landscape. The award's structure – a paid internship at The Canadian Press – represents a targeted effort to nurture emerging talent and ensure the continued production of high-quality photojournalism. The extensive sponsorship list underscores the perceived value of this initiative, but also points to the precarious financial situation of many media organizations.

What we're watching

Talent Pipeline
The CJF's investment in early-career photojournalists signals a potential effort to address skills gaps and ensure a pipeline of talent for Canadian news organizations, particularly as visual storytelling becomes increasingly critical.
CP's Role
Whether The Canadian Press can leverage this internship to cultivate future talent and retain skilled photographers remains to be seen, given ongoing challenges in the news industry.
Industry Support
The extensive list of sponsors suggests a broader industry recognition of the importance of photojournalism, but the sustainability of this level of support amid economic pressures warrants monitoring.