Paper Champions Award

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Paper Champions Award

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Paper Champion - Precursor

The idea, although not entirely original is something I have been waiting to personally unleash on the public since the untimely departure of journalist and famed green peace cofounder Mr Robert Hunter(May 2005). Hunter, a man I very much admired in his final gig before joining the great whaling protest in the sky, held court in his quaint study on a morning news segment called "paper cuts." Draped in a house coat accompanied by a comfy pair of slippers and often his morning coffee Bob would review the lowlights and highlights from the morning’s print media.

Carrying on directly in Mr Hunters foot steps, although tempting would certainly be an undertaking in futility. The time required to both review all the mornings papers and reflect on the overall value of one Iraq conflict story over the next is something I simply don’t have the time for. It’s not that I lack the patience or drive . . . it is simply a lack of financial motivations and an undertaking of this epic proportion would require a certain degree of financial motivation. With that being said and not wanting to go off on a "Dennis Miller" I am prepared to, if not take the plunge, then to at least skim my big toe across the waters surface in an attempt to gage its temperature.

As I am not on the dole, this is how it must be done..I cannot provide daily raspberries accompanied by the occasional crate of peaches a la Mr Robert Hunter however it would certainly be possible for me to track down one individual a week; who has proved themselves worthy of the title of paper champion, wouldn’t it? It’s a fickle crown.

Paper Champion

Week 1: May 18-24 2008

Champion: Journalist Thane Burnett

Pourquoi: Article "No Butts about it" May21/08 (Not Anti-Smoking)

Publication: Toronto Sun

Thane Burnett a 25-year veteran report who has hopped from the hot beds of Kosovo and China to dark days of 9/11 and Oklahoma City is probably most revered for his ability to build an appealing human interest story, one that is both reverent and readable. Building an interesting yet believable human interest story is a challenge that reports throughout North America fail, in print, to complete on a daily basis.

Wednesdays offering "No butts about it" was not only an example of Thane’s ability to create a compelling human interest story but a classic example of how Mr Burnett can produce a human interest story that the reader does not even realize is in fact a human interest story.

Simply doing your job however is not what being a "paper champion" is all about. To be awarded this coveted title one must go beyond the call of duty and perhaps beyond the bounds of conventional journalism.

In Mr Burnett’s article "No Butts," Mr Burnett went way out on a limb, perhaps even walking the very tight-rope that this award hangs by. The article was certainly not a pro-smoking piece despite some lovely accompanying cigar images that had me drooling all afternoon. The article was also not Anti-Smoking, praise the lord, hallelujah, pass that man the trophy. I will not reveal or review any more of the contents of Mr Burnett’s article, that will have to be left up to the curious, adventuress reader but I will say this, I have a real soft spot for anything that is pro-smoking and although Mr Burnett’s article was not of the pro-smoking variety it was a classy human interest piece with neutral smoking centre. Umm, the sweet smoky flavour.

This week, the first ever "paper champion" is veteran Canadian journalist Thane Burnett. Congratulations, Thane.

Zoltan Black.