EC’s 2011 press prize on development issues is open

Fittingly launched on May 3rd, World Press Freedom Day, the EC’s Lorenzo Natali Journalism Prize 2011 awards excellence in written, radio and TV journalism on development issues.

Established in 1992 by the European Commission, the prize pays homage to the commitment to development of the late Lorenzo Natali, a former European Commissioner for Development.

Prizes are awarded to print, online and broadcast journalists based in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Arab World, Latin America and the Caribbean as well as Asia and the Pacific.

In each regional category, print/online winners will receive cash prizes of €5,000 (1st prize), €2,500 (2nd prize) and €1,500 (3rd prize). The winners in the television and radio categories will be awarded €5,000 each. A Grand Prize Winner, chosen from prize-winners in all categories, will receive an additional €5,000. All the winners will be announced during an awards ceremony in December 2011.

“Every day, thousands of reporters put their lives in danger to report on conflicts, humanitarian disasters or simply to tell human stories. In too many parts of the world press freedom is still undermined or violated and I will continue to defend this human right during my mandate", said the current European Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs. He added: "This is why I'm very proud to be launching the annual Lorenzo Natali Prize, which will reward some of the most talented journalists reporting on development issues and contributing to our fight against poverty."

Journalists’ works published or broadcast during the period from 1 July 2010 to 31 August 2011 are eligible. The deadline to submit applications is 31 August 2011. Entries should be submitted electronically at www.lorenzonataliprize.eu.

The European Commission says that entries will be judged by an independent jury, according to their relevance to human rights, democracy or development issues, as well as the originality of a piece, its quality, the depth of investigation carried out and any political impact it may have had.

The NGO, ‘Reporters Without Borders’, is the European Commission’s partner in the competition’s organisation.

Find out more:
The Lorenzo Natali Prize website - www.lorenzonataliprize.eu
The Lorenzo Natali Prize Facebook page –
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lorenzo-Natali-Journalism-Prize/206524359368095
The Lorenzo Natali Prize Twitter account - www.twitter.com/LorenzoNataliP