Winnipeg, MB – Today, on World Press Freedom Day, Mayor Brian Bowman presented the Free Press with the Organizational Community Service Award in recognition of their 150 years in operation.
“As long as Winnipeg has been incorporated as a city, the Free Press has been reporting our city’s news and information,” said Mayor Bowman. “At a time when the space for civil discourse on matters of fact and public policy debate are shrinking, a free press is more important than ever. The Free Press has always been a leading voice on the national and international stages but most importantly, the Free Press has always been a champion for Winnipeg.”
In operation since 1872 when Winnipeg had a population of 1,467, the Free Press has grown as Winnipeg has grown. With Winnipeg’s population at approximately 767,500 people according to 2022 Statistics Canada data, the Free Press has grown into a total weekly readership of 407,000 Winnipeg adults.
The presentation of the City of Winnipeg Community Service Award was established by the Mayor’s Office in the 1950s. This award is presented to give recognition to individuals or organizations of the City of Winnipeg, who through their dedication, have demonstrated excellence and achievement in any field of endeavour, benefiting in an outstanding manner the social, cultural or economic well-being of their community.
“The Free Press has helped shape our community from the beginning and is the type of organization that this award was created for,” said Mayor Bowman.