NOVEMBER 18 marks the 27th anniversary of Tara Singh Hayer (November 15, 1936 – November 18, 1998), the Punjabi editor and publisher who was assassinated in Surrey in 1998 after reporting about terrorism. He was the reipient of several provincial, national, and international awards.
Some of those awards include: The Order of British Columbia, the Journalist Award by the Municipality of Surrey for courageous and outstanding contribution to Punjabi Journalism in Canada, and the International Award of Distinction for Journalism from the International Association of Punjabi Authors and Artists.
In 1999, Canadian Journalists for Free Expression renamed its Press Freedom Award the “Tara Singh Hayer Press Freedom Award” in Hayer’s honour. Each year, the award is given to a Canadian journalist who, through his or her work, has made an important contribution to reinforcing and promoting the principle of freedom of the press in Canada or elsewhere.
In 2000 Tara Singh Hayer’s name was added to the Canadian News Hall of Fame. He was the first Canadian of non-English, non-French origin to be added to the Hall. The same year, he was selected as one of the International Press Institute’s (IPI) 50 World Press Freedom Heroes of the past 50 years.
One of the presenters of the Award for Late Tara Singh Hayer as “World Press Freedom Hero” in 2000 was US Senator Ted Kennedy in Boston.
Hayer’s son, Dave Hayer, former B.C. MLA, said in a statement: “On Tuesday, November 18th we commemorate Tara Singh Hayer, my father’s message of freedom of expression and freedom of speech, his message against hate, violence, extremism, and terrorism.
“My father’s life was devoted to democracy, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press to speak out against those who try to prevent those freedoms, the right that we in Canadian society hold so precious, to live and speak without fear.
“He believed in leading by example, and even though he knew he was putting his life in danger, he had the courage to not only speak out about his own beliefs but also speak out for victims and the innocent.
“My father believed that it was not right to remain quiet while some individuals worked against our freedoms, because then they would win, and we must never let those who promote hatred, extremism, violence, and terrorism succeed.”
He added: “I would like everyone to remember my father for his unwavering voice in support of freedom and democracy, and for the courage that drove him to speak out against the terrorism that claimed 331 innocent lives. On June 23, 1985, more than 268 Canadians — including 86 children — were killed when Air India Flight 182, which had departed from Canada, was destroyed by bombs made in British Columbia.”
