 | | Thomas G. Whittle, Editor of Freedom Magazine, accepting the NFPW 1st place award in the category "Writing for the Web" for his feature article, "North America's Crime of the Century?," an expose on thousands of the "Duplessis Orphans" who died or disappeared in Quebec's psychiatric institutions. |
DENVER: It was an article that begged a burning question: "Was it North America's Crime of the Century?"
At the National Federation of Press Women's annual conference and awards presentation, Freedom Magazine was awarded as the 1st place winner in the category "Writing for the Web" for its feature article, an exposé on thousands of the "Duplessis Orphans" who died or disappeared in Quebec's psychiatric institutions.
"Naming themselves after former Quebec Premier Maurice Duplessis," Freedom Magazine states, "many of these individuals were not orphans at all, but had been born to poor families which had difficulty caring for them, or to unwed mothers. Although no official tallies were kept, over a span of several decades, it has been estimated they numbered in the tens of thousands and perhaps as many as 100,000. Duplessis was Quebec's premier from 1936 to 1939 and from 1944 to 1959. Due to human rights violations, electoral fraud, use of state powers against critics and other abuses, Duplessis' tenure has been called 'the Great Darkness.'"
As many as 50,000 innocent children may have died or disappeared in Quebec's psychiatric institutions, and the article reveals the sordid story to prevent any abuse of this character from ever happening again.
Described in the awards ceremony as "mesmerizing," the story was co-written by Canadian freelance journalist, Christine Hahn and Thomas G. Whittle, Editor of Freedom Magazine.
The National Federation of Press Women is a dynamic nationwide organization of professional women — and men — pursuing careers across the communications spectrum, and committed to "highest ethical standards in communications and protecting First Amendment rights."
Freedom Magazine, published by the Church of Scientology International in the United States and with 20 affiliated editions of magazines and journals published by Scientology churches in 16 more countries, has been carrying out investigative reporting in the public interest since 1968, giving a voice to those who might never otherwise be heard.
To read the full article on the Duplessis Orphans, visit the Freedom Magazine web site.
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