The winners of the IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize for Southeast Asia were announced today in a ceremony at the Westin Philippines Plaza in Manila, the Philippines.
The awarding ceremonies took place in the Grand Ballroom of the West Philippine Plaza at 12 noon today, following a forum on Ethnic Tolerance: Trends and Challenges in Journalism.
The IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize, an annual competition among journalists from all sectors of the media, is run by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global organisation of journalists. The ceremony was hosted by the IFJ’s affiliate in the Philippines, the National Union of Journalists (NUJP).
The Prize, supported by the European Commission, is awarded in five regions around the world: Latin America, Central and Western Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Each region will have a total pool of 3,000 Euros to award the winners.
The winners of the Southeast Asia prize were chosen from 128 entries and 6 finalists by a jury composed of senior journalists and media experts in Southeast Asia.
The Southeast Asia Jury members are:
q K.P. Waran, Chief News Editor of New Straits Times (Malaysia)
q Dwi Setyo Irawanto, former Managing Editor of Tempo Magazine (Indonesia)
q Lor Chandara, Associate Editor of The Cambodia Daily (Cambodia)
q Sek Barisoth, Head of Media Unit, Open Forum of Cambodia (Cambodia)
q Georgina Encanto, professor of journalism, College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines (the Philippines)
The winners of the 2004 IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize are:
*Print Category
Nezar Patria (Indonesia), “May 1998, The Razing of Jakarta”, Tempo Magazine, 26 May, 2003
Jury comments:
“An excellent piece of investigative journalism. It also emphasises the discrimination factor. “May 1998, The Razing of Jakarta” has originality and depicts the comprehensive story of the Jakarta riots. Even though the riots happened five years ago, there still remains questions for Indonesians about who was behind the riots and who has to take responsibility for them. These questions need to be answered as the public is demanding justice to bring the guilty to the court process.”
*Broadcast Category:
Ayu Purwaningsih (Indonesia) “Indonesian Migrant Workers, the Neglected Foreign Exchange Heroes”, 68 H Radio, 18-26 December 2003
Jury comments:
“A powerful presentation of a migrant workers’ issue which actually is not limited to Indonesia. Dramatised well and forceful depiction of the problems of the victims. The problem was addressed and the shortcomings are highlighted.”
The finalists are:
*Print Category
Jose Torres Jr. (the Philippines) “Troubled Return of The Faithful”, ABS-CBN INTERACTIVE, Apr-June, 2003
Jury comments:
“This kind of article is needed to promote more understanding among the people of different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. The powerful message behind the story is that the clear and fair information corrects the wrong notion and stereotyping. It has a strong impact on society.”
Karaniya Dharamasaputra (Indonesia), “A Lie Snatched Away”, Tempo Magazine, 26 May, 2003
Jury comments:
“An impressive article on the rape of women during the Jakarta riots. It has the victims talking about the pain and suffering which does not seem to be over for them. The acts of rape as a form of systematic terror has been portrayed well and brings about a shocking revelation to the readers.”
*Broadcast Category:
Masrur Jamaluddin (Indonesia) “For A Piece of Paper”, Metro TV, 28 December 2003
Jury comments:
“The TV program covers one important social and political aspects of the Chinese minority group: citizenship. It shows genuine and straightforward characters. The comment of the authorities was sought and showed no clear guidelines to solve the problem”.
Helmayanti (Indonesia) “A Bitter Life of the Tionghoa Ethnic”, 68 H Radio, 8-14 December, 2003
Jury Comments:
“An emotional issue portrayed well to radio listeners. It tells us the lives of the minority and highlights the problems they face. In terms of the subject, treatment, relevance and context, this is well within the spirit of the Tolerance Prize.”
The Prize giving ceremony was attended by more than 100 journalists from the Philippines and from around Southeast Asia.
To view photos from the ceremony go to National Union of Journalists, the Philippines
The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries worldwide
WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD OF DEVELOPMENT
For more information contact:
AKUAT SUPRYANTO
IFJ South East Asia Co-ordinator
[email protected]
62 813 111 66 552
INDAY ESPINA-VARONA
NUJP Chair
[email protected]
632 9167512522
