Journalist Mayssa Ferah is the winner of the 2022 Arthur Prévost Fellowship, presented at the Professional Federation of Journalists of Quebec (FPJQ) Annual Congress on Saturday for her remarkable work in criminal and police affairs.
Posted at 11:35 p.m
Delphine Belzile The press
Mayssa Ferah has been a general news reporter at La Presse since 2019, specializing in reporting on criminal and police affairs, including street gangs and gun violence in the greater Montreal area.
“His reports are characterized by their originality and relevance. His willingness to take risks on the ground allows him to approach societal phenomena from new perspectives,” the FPJQ wrote.
The Arthur Prévost Fellowship, created in 2007, recognizes and rewards each year the work of a journalist early in his career who has less than five years’ experience in the written press and who has excelled in his profession. The winner will receive $2,000, an amount funded by the legacy of renowned journalist Arthur Prévost.
The winner, who holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Québec in Montreal, earned her place in Quebec journalism magazine Trente’s list of “Ten Journalists Rising” last year.
Mayssa deeply deserves this recognition. Here is a journalist who stands out for her rigor, courage and great sensitivity, but above all for her remarkable work in the field. Mayssa is fearless, which allows her to present new aspects of the social phenomena she deals with.
François Cardinal, deputy editor of La Presse
The scholarship was awarded on Saturday at the FPJQ’s annual meeting, which was held in Beaupré under the motto “This is not censorship”.
Available by phone after the award ceremony, Mayssa Ferah first thanked her colleagues, whom she also considers “models”, and highlighted in particular the contribution of the journalists Daniel Renaud and David Santerre and the photographer Patrick Sanfaçon.
I have really great bosses who trusted me from day one and I had no experience. I have been entrusted with great responsibility and for that I am really grateful.
Mayssa Ferah, winner of the Arthur Prévost grant
“I immediately fell in love with the field, talking to people, knocking on doors. Three years later I’m still excited [de le faire] “, she added.
Young journalist Clara Loiseau from the Journal de Montréal also received a mention for her coverage of gun and abortion issues in the United States.
Bernard Derome honored
That same evening, Bernard Derome was awarded the Judith-Jasmin Tribute Prize in recognition of his career as a journalist and presenter.
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Bernard Derome, journalist and presenter, winner of the Judith-Jasmin Tribute Award
He was the presenter of the Radio-Canada news program for more than 30 years and also hosted the programs 5 sur 5 Monde and La grande aventure de la Télévision before being sent to Afghanistan in 2007 for a series of reports. Two years later he also received the Medal of Honor from the Quebec National Assembly.