The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) is set to honour the Star’s months-long investigation intoÌýthe sexual abuse Andrea Skinner suffered at the hands of her stepfather, who was married to Canadian literary giant Alice Munro.Ìý
The investigation, reported by Deborah Dundas and Betsy Powell, will receive the foundation’s Special Citation, which recognizes “journalism that serves its highest purposes.”
In the shadow of my mother, a literary icon, my family and I have hidden a secret for decades.
“This remarkable work exemplifies the highest ideals of investigative journalism by giving voice to those silenced by power and reputation,” CJF president and executive director Natalie Turvey said in a press release Friday.Ìý
The CJF said the story is being recognized for its commitment to giving voices to survivors “while examining complex questions of legacy, accountability and healing.”
Alice Munro’s husband sexually assaulted her youngest daughter. For nearly five decades, a
Deborah DundasÌýis an editor for the Star’s Opinion section and is the author of the book “On Class.”
Betsy Powell works on the crime, courts and justice team at the Star and previously received a team nomination for Computer-Assisted Reporting from the Canadian Association of Journalists.
“This special honour belongs not just to the Star team that took so seriously the trust Andrea Skinner placed in us. Not just to the tireless Deborah Dundas and Betsy Powell and the many other reporters, editors and designers whose work helped prompt the far-reaching conversation about childhood sexual abuse that Andrea had for so long wanted to see. It belongs especially to Andrea herself, for her extraordinary courage,” said Jordan Himelfarb, the Star’s Opinion editor, who worked closely with SkinnerÌýon her essay.
The Special Citation will be presented at the foundation’s annual award ceremony in º£½ÇÉçÇø¹ÙÍøat the Fairmont Royal York on June 12.
The Star won Project of the Year for its coverage of the childhood sexual abuse suffered by
The Star was also nominated for 15 National Newspaper Awards and won six at the April 25 gala in Montreal.Ìý
Dundas and Powell were among the reporters recognized for their work that won the Star the prestigious John Honderich Award for Project of the Year for months-long coverage of Skinner’s childhood.Ìý
The annual National Newspaper Awards celebrate the best reporting in Canada.
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