Diverse voices come together to honour those who speak truth to power
On Friday May 2, the National Ethnic Press And Media Council Of Canada hosted an event at the City Hall of Toronto to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day. (NEPMCC PHOTO by Ishkhan Ghazarian)
On Friday, May 2, the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada hosted a commemorative event at Toronto City Hall to mark World Press Freedom Day. The event gathered approximately 150 attendees, including members of the press, diplomats, elected officials, and former cabinet ministers.
The evening was emceed by former Ontario Minister of Multiculturalism, Tony Ruprecht, who delivered a moving introduction. In his remarks, Ruprecht emphasized the dangers faced by journalists worldwide, noting that journalism remains one of the most hazardous professions. Citing recent statistics, he stated that 122 journalists were killed in 2024, marking the deadliest year on record for media workers.
Thomas Saras, President of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada, also addressed the audience with a heartfelt speech. He presented sobering figures on global press repression, highlighting that 124 journalists and media workers were killed last year—85 of them in territories controlled by Israel. Additionally, 361 journalists were reportedly imprisoned across the world by the end of 2024, a significant increase from the previous year.
Saras detailed cases of imprisoned journalists, including Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong, Shin Daewe in Myanmar, Frenchie Mae Cumpio in the Philippines, and Sevinj Vagifgizi in Azerbaijan, among others. He denounced the global erosion of press freedom, even in countries with democratic frameworks, and concluded his speech by stating, “Without freedom of the press, there is no democracy.”
The event also featured the presentation of awards to individuals recognized for their contributions to media, public discourse, and the promotion of press freedom. Honourees included:
- Habeeb Alli
- Al Pace
- Hoang Thanh Tam Tran, a documentary filmmaker known for shedding light on the plight of Vietnamese boat people
- Jeremy Grimaldi, documentary filmmaker
- Paul Nguyen, documentary filmmaker and community advocate
- Dr. Mohammad Tajdolati, editor of Persian Mirror
- The Honourable Joe Volpe, editor of Corriere Canadese
- MPP Aris Babikian, Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario
The awards acknowledged their longstanding commitment to press freedom, advocacy, and social awareness through media and public engagement.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Toronto City Hall featuring live music and catering by “Catering by Nikos.” The company, co-owned by veteran Greek-Canadian caterer Nikolaos Nikopoulos, is well known in Toronto for its exceptional service and more than 40 years of experience in the food and hospitality industries. Attendees praised both the quality of the cuisine and the festive atmosphere created by the live band.
The reception provided an opportunity for publishers, journalists, and members of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council to discuss ongoing challenges in the media industry, particularly regarding issues of independence, safety, and representation.
MPP Aris Babikian awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal to Thomas Saras in recognition of his over 63 years of unwavering dedication to press freedom in Canada and abroad.
During the reception, MPP Aris Babikian awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal to Thomas Saras in recognition of his over 63 years of unwavering dedication to press freedom in Canada and abroad. The moment was met with a standing ovation.
The evening concluded with the presentation of a birthday cake to Mr. Saras, in celebration of his 86th birthday—a fitting tribute to a lifelong advocate for journalism and democratic values.
