The winners of the inaugural IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize in South East Asia were announced at a special prize giving ceremony and media forum held in Bali today.
The IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize, supported by the European Commission, is about promoting tolerance, combating racism and discrimination and contributing to an understanding of cultural, religious and ethnic differences.
The winners of the Prize for South East Asia are:
Print/on-line category:
Sanitsuda Ekachai (Thailand), "Searching for a State" Bangkok Post, 25 June, 9 and 23 July, 2002
Jury comments:
A moving, well-researched, well put together series about the Karen minority fighting for their rights. "Searching for a State" has a lot of relevance to South East Asia. It suggests that there are more similarities in the region than commonly thought on the way governments are treating minority groups… Incisive and informative, it meets all the criteria that we are striving for, especially on the issue of public's right to know about the handling of this social situation.
It is an excellent piece, well written with lots of data to back it up.
Television category:
Anton Bachtiar Rifai (Indonesia) "They That Have Been Forgotten" Metro TV, 15 December 2002
Jury comments:
A moving piece that restores our faith in human beings because it shows that political victims are not forgotten even though they have disappeared out of sight. It demonstrates that their struggles have not been in vain and others may be encouraged to pick up their cause. A relevant and powerful presentation on the issue of the disappearance of political activists. There is a tendency to take an abstract look at this issue and gloss over so that individuals are forgotten paving the way for society to repeat the same mistakes. It all makes for a work that reminds us all that intolerance is something that should be exposed and opposed.
Radio category:
Ayu Purwaningsih (Indonesia) "Racial Riots In May 1998, 4 Years Went By And Forgotten", Radio 68 H, 13-18 May, 2002
Jury comments:
A powerful and compelling account of the costs of racial intolerance not only to victims, but to society as a whole. This program demonstrates world-class journalism. Beautifully scripted, it is both touching and gripping radio with a deep human interest. This story is a constant reminder that racial discrimination and anarchism still exist. It captured the essence of tolerance very well.
Each winner received a certificate, trophy and prize money of €1,000.
The announcement of the winners of the Prize, which is supported by the European Commission, was combined with a forum focusing on the challenges facing the media in a pluralist society. Journalists from Indonesia, Thailand, East Timor, Cambodia, the Philippines and Malaysia attended the ceremony and forum.
The keynote speakers for the forum were Mr Atmakusumah Astraatmadja, Chairperson of Press Council of Indonesia and a winner of the Ramon Magsasay Award, and Mr Christopher Warren, President of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
The winners were chosen from more than 100 entries submitted to the Prize in South East Asia and were judged by a Jury comprised of eminent journalists from around the region. The South East Asia Jury members are:
Mr. Kavi Chongkittavorn, assistant group editor, The Nation (Thailand),
Ms. Rungmanee Mekhasobhon, senior freelance broadcast journalist (Thailand),
Ms. Ng Poh Tip, group chief editor, The Star (Malaysia),
Ms. Dana Iswara, current affairs and talks show manager, TV 7 (Indonesia),
Mr. Luis Teodoro, editor, Philippine Journalism Review and columnist, Today (Philippines)
The IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize, promoting tolerance, combating racism and discrimination, will be awarded to journalists in another four regions of the world.
For more information visit: www.ifj.org
Or contact the IFJ South East Asia Co-ordinator, Akuat Supriyanto:
C/O THE ALLIANCE OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS (AJI)
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JAKARTA 10210
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TELEPHONE +62 21 5711044 FAX. +62 21 5711063
E-MAIL: [email protected]
Or contact Emma Walters on +61 419 204 454.
WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD OF DEVELOPMENT