Statement By Canwest Publishing On Death Of Michelle Lang

It is with profound shock and sadness that I send this note to you. Earlier today we received notice from the Canadian Military that Calgary Herald journalist Michelle Lang was killed while on assignment for Canwest News Service in Kandahar, Afghanistan. This tragic event involved several casualties both military and civilian and the full details are still to be released.

This is an unbelievable loss to her fiancé Michael, her family and the countless colleagues and friends at The Calgary Herald, Canwest News Service and across our organization. Michelle was honoured recently with a National Newspaper Award in recognition of her coverage of the Alberta health care system. In all that she did, Michelle exemplified the skills and dedication that have made Canwest a leader in news. She will be deeply missed not only by those who knew her well but also the countless readers who relied on her excellent reporting in the pages of our newspapers.

Michelle took this assignment voluntarily, as do all of our war zone journalists and was two weeks into a six week assignment. Michelle had been filing stories of Christmas with the troops, she had interviewed military leaders about the progress our military had made and written a story about the diverse population of civilians serving in support functions in Afghanistan.

Our thoughts and prayers along with our support have been extended to Michelle’s family.

More information with respect to plans and tributes will be available on the Calgary Herald website as it becomes available.

Dennis Skulsky, President and CEO of Canwest Publishing


 Photo credit: Calgary-based reporter Michelle Lang, 34, tries on her fragmentation vest and helmet at Kandahar Airfield on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. Lang was killed along with four Canadian soldiers by an improvised explosive device on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, the first Canadian journalist killed in Afghanistan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Colin Perkel.

Michelle Lang’s blog

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