While it was a joint nomination for Diane Crocker and Troy Turner, there were plenty of everyday women who helped The Western Star earn a nomination for an Atlantic Journalism Award.
Crocker, a journalist with the Corner Brook daily, and Turner, the managing editor, were nominated in the best newspaper page presentation category for the #MeToo feature published Oct. 20.
The front-page feature involved 45 photos of local women who came forward to publicly acknowledge they had been sexually abused or harassed at some point in their lives. It was accompanied in the same edition by a more in-depth feature story, an Ask the People streeter segment and an editorial on the topic.
Related:
‘Me Too’ campaign opening up a discussion about sexual harassment and abuse of women
Crocker said she felt challenged by the assignment when Turner first presented the idea to her last fall.
“I didn’t know if women would be willing to participate, but I took it on and started making contacts and doing interviews for the story and streeter that went along with it,” she said. “We also had others in our networks and here at The Western Star share what we were doing and I’m thankful that so many women stepped up to participate.”
As she dug deeper into the assignment and realized just how many women this affected, Crocker eventually became surprised when one woman told her she had never experienced any form of sexual harassment.
“The piece certainly got people talking, which is what we wanted to accomplish,” she said. “Sexual harassment and sexual assault is still an all too prevalent occurrence in our society and I hope this piece has helped create some awareness and cause some to question and change their own opinions and actions.”
She said she is honoured to share the award nomination with every woman who has said #MeToo, even if they weren’t part of this feature.
Turner said that, although the #MeToo movement originated in Hollywood, The Western Star wanted to show people that every community has been affected by sexual assault and sexual harassment.
The outpouring of support for the photo campaign from the women in the community, complemented by the solid coverage from Crocker, held a mirror up to western Newfoundland and encouraged people to talk more about this important subject.
"I couldn't be prouder of the work that Diane (Crocker) put into her coverage of #MeToo," said Turner. "And the vital support we received from brave women in the community brought this issue straight into our homes and, hopefully, created more awareness around all our actions."
Here are the Atlantic Journalism Award nominees from The Saltwire Network in Newfoundland and Labrador:
Best Page Presentation: Newspaper
Diane Crocker/Troy Turner - The Western Star - Corner Brook, NL - #MeToo.
Photojournalism News
Keith Gosse - The Telegram - St. John's, NL - Collision victim comforts friend.
Keith Gosse - The Telegram - St. John's, NL - Devastating fire.
Best Community Newspaper News Story
Kyle Greenham - Northern Pen - St. Anthony, NL - Williams Harbour resettlement.
Best Student Journalism
Kyle Greenham - College of the North Atlantic Journalism - St. John's NL - Missing: a town on edge.
Source: Atlantic Journalism Award
