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Toronto Star reporter Sara Mojtehedzadeh has been awarded a 2024 Press Freedom Certificate of Merit from World Press Freedom Canada.
Mojtehedzadeh, the Star’s work and wealth reporter, was recognized for her body of work, including the “Work Forced” series, reported with Star colleague Rachel Mendleson. The stories exposed the extent to which Ontario’s economy relies on exploited and sometimes illegally trafficked workers, World Press Freedom said.
The certificate is awarded to those whose reporting navigates intimidation, secrecy and legal manoeuvres to produce public interest journalism. Frédérik-Xavier Duhamel of The Globe and Mail was also awarded a certificate this year.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg’s Melissa Martin won the 2024 Press Freedom Prize for her work in Ukraine chronicling the impact of war on civilians, while Robyn Doolittle of The Globe and Mail was recognized for career achievement.
Similar to philanthro-journalism models in the U.S., Mojtehedzadeh’s beat at the Star is funded by a partnership with the Atkinson Foundation, with the aim of increasing coverage of income inequality, workplace and labour issues.
Star chief investigative reporter Kevin Donovan previously won a certificate of merit in 2021, and columnist Haroon Siddiqui won the Press Freedom Award in 2002.
Mojtehedzadeh and Mendleson won a National Newspaper Award (NNA) last week for their “Work Forced” series. The series is also nominated for a Canadian Association of Journalists award.
The Star won three NNAs this year, including for its reporting on the Greenbelt and for Steve Russell’s photo story on a couple in their 80s, one living with dementia.
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