Citizen's Pugliese one of three recipients of prestigious award
The Ottawa Citizen's David Pugliese, fellow Postmedia journalist Kim Bolan and Daniel Renaud were named recipients of the Canadian Association of Journalist's Charles Bury President's Award.
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'Kim, Daniel and David have all exhibited incredible levels of courage and determination to persevere through unprecedented challenges to tell stories that matter,' said Brent Jolly, CAJ president, in a speech announcing the awards in Calgary.
'They are living proof that even in today's fragmented age, journalism matters. The power of the pen to tell the truth and expose wrongdoing is an endeavour that is so vital to the proper functioning of our society.'
The association noted that Pugliese has spent more than 40 years working at the Ottawa Citizen, 'where he specializes in covering one of Canada's most secretive government departments, the Department of National Defence.'
Late in 2024, Pugliese was accused by former federal cabinet minister Chris Alexander of being a paid KGB agent in the 1980s.
At the time of the comments, Alexander was testifying, under privilege, before a House of Commons committee meeting on Russian interference and disinformation campaigns.
Alexander has never repeated the claims in a forum where he could be sued for defamation.
'These allegations were nothing more than a McCarthy-esque smear job,' the CAJ's Jolly said.
'But what they show us is a shift in tactics to spread disinformation. Rather than question the accuracy of a deeply reported investigative story, bad actors now attack a journalist's credibility in an effort to impune critical inquiry.
'So, if you can't refute the truth, then the next best course of action is to attack the messenger.'
Bolan, meanwhile, has been a reporter at the Vancouver Sun since 1984. During that time, she has reported internationally on wars in El Salvador, Guatemala and Afghanistan. Domestically, she has covered the Air India story from the night it happened on June 23, 1985. She has also spent her career shining a spotlight on a long list of minority, women's, education, and social service issues.
'Despite numerous threats on her life over the past 40 years from gangs and militant groups, Bolan's commitment to the craft has been unwavering,' Jolly said.
Renaud specializes in reporting on organized crime at La Presse.
He was recognized after a report came to light late last year that chronicled how he had been targeted for assassination in organized crime in 2021.
In Nov. 2024, La Presse reported that Frédérick Silva, a professional killer-turned-police informer, placed a $100,000 bounty on Renaud's life while he was covering Silva's trial for three murders.
'Renaud's experience was a shocking revelation that should send a chill down the spine of every journalist in Canada,' Jolly said.
'But even when his life was on the line, he did not cower to pressure. He maintained his wherewithal and resolve and did his job, which was to shine a light on the clandestine operations of organized crime.'
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