Natali Prize for Journalism (2002)

Poul Nielson, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, today awarded the Lorenzo Natali Prize for Journalism 2002 to Raymond Archer (Ghana), Asha Krishnakumar (India), Henrik Brun and Ulrikke Moustgaard (Denmark), Julio César Benegas Vidallet (Paraguay), Mário Magalhães (Brazil) and Maher Chmaytelli (Lebanon). The special gold medal award went to Raymond Archer. Congratulating the winners, Poul Nielson stated: "The Commission's commitment to this Prize is a clear demonstration of the value we attach to freedom of expression and the belief that democracy and respect for human rights are of the highest importance. I congratulate you on your work and this achievement."

The Natali Prize is named after the late Commissioner for development and campaigner for human rights causes, Lorenzo Natali, and is awarded annually to journalists reporting on democracy and human rights as vital aspects of development.

This is the first year that this Prize has been awarded to journalists from the following five regions: (1) Africa, (2) Asia - Pacific, (3) Europe, (4) Latin America and Caribbean and (5) North Africa and Middle East, each receiving a €10,000 first prize.

Journalists from all these regions were invited to submit their work for consideration. Over two hundred entries were received from leading media organizations in 80 countries. The International Federation of Journalists manages the Prize on behalf of the European Commission, and invited nine prominent journalists working in the field of development and human rights to act as the jury.


The Awards:

In the Africa region category, the winner is: Raymond Archer (Ghana) for his 3 articles "Ex-Minister in deportation scam", "Tragedy of youth deported for cash" and "Swedish Minister resigns over Amarki scam" published in The Ghanaian Chronicle

In the Asia and Pacifique region category, the winner is: Asha Krishnakumar (India) for her article "Weavers in distress" and the follow-up story "For the weavers" both published in Frontline.

In the Europe region category, the winners are: Henrik Brun and Ulrikke Moustgaard (Denmark) for their 5 articles about Danish peacekeepers' exploitation of trafficked women in Kosovo published in Information.

In the Latin America and Carribean region category, the winners are: Julio César Benegas Vidallet (Paraguay) for his 5 articles about how underaged Brazilians are illegally enrolled for military service in Paraguay and Mário Magalhães (Brazil) for his article "A história de Alexandre" published in Folha de São Paulo.

In the North Africa and the Middle East region category, the winner is : Maher Chmaytelli (Lebanon) for his articles "Cultural Forums: Pseudonyms for Syria's new political activities" and "Syrian MP's arrest part of plan to muzzle dissent" published in Middle East Times, Daily Star of Beirut and Middle East Online .

Regarding the special Gold Medal Award, given also for the first time (without any extra financial reward) the judge's selection of an overall winner from among the regional winners above is Raymond Archer from Ghana.


The Jury:

Majella Anning, a former broadcaster now with Amnesty International; Angela Castellanos, freelance writer from Colombia; Elisabeth Costa, President of the Federation of Brazilian Journalists; Maria Laura Franciosi, Italian correspondent for Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata; Bettina Peters, Director of Programmes at the European Journalism Centre; Mohammad-Mahmoud Ould Mohamedou, Research Director of the International Council on Human Rights Policy, Geneva; Ibrahim Nawar, journalist and leader of Arab Press Freedom Watch; Mohamedou Mahmoud Faye, journalist with Le Soleil, Senegal; and Christian Wernicke, reporter for Süddeutsche Zeitung.


Further information concerning the prize-winning entries from:

Background on the origins and organization of the Lorenzo Natali Prize for Journalism can be obtained from Christine Hansen at the International Federation of Journalists or from the information service of the Directorate General for Development of the European Commission.

International Federation of Journalists Projects Office:

Tel: +32.2.235.22.07
Fax: +32.2.235.22.19

Email: info@brusselsreporter.org

http://www.ifj.org/hrights/hrights.html and http://www.ifj.org/hrights/lorenzo/inpr.html

European Commission, Directorate General for Development, Information and Communication unit,

Fax: +32.2.299.30.02

Email: development@cec.eu.int

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