KIEV - The Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Kyiv will present an award for investigative journalism in a developing country or a country in transition, which was reported under threat, duress or difficult conditions. This is the fourth conference at which the Global Shining Light Award is being granted. The first was presented at the Toronto Global Conference is 2007.
Global Shining Light Award 2011
Award for Investigative Reporting in Dangerous Environments
The Global Shining Light Award will be handed out for the fourth time at the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Kyiv this October.
Background
Each year dozens of journalists and media workers are killed - and hundreds more are attacked, imprisoned or threatened - just for just doing their job. Many of these violations of free expression occur in developing or emerging countries, and quite often during military conflicts. There are a number of international awards recognizing such attacks on freedom of expression.
However, another clear trend emerges in analyses of global attacks on reporters and the media: More and more journalists are being killed, and media outlets attacked, because they are carrying out important efforts in investigative journalism, exposing uncomfortable truths, shining light on systemic corruption, and providing accountability in societies yearning for democracy and development.
Criteria
The award goes to a journalist, journalism team and/or a media outlet that provided independent, investigative reporting, which was broadcast or published between January 1, 2010 and April 1, 2011, and which:
* originated in and affected a developing or emerging country
* was of an investigative nature, well written and presented
* uncovered an issue, a wrong-doing and/or a system of corruption which gravely affected the common good
* was researched and reported risking aggression or intimidation to themselves, their families or their publishers/broadcasters
* had an impact or could have an impact in the future
Nominations
Nominations for this award may be made by independent Investigative journalism organizations, associations of journalists, independent media outlets, or an investigative journalist.
Submissions should include:
A nomination letter listing the journalist’s name (or names of team members), and name of his/her media organization with address, telephone number, fax and email. The letter should provide a brief summary containing:
* the entry topic
* explaining the importance of the story
* how the research was made
* the challenges faced in reporting it
* and the political or social impact it made upon its broadcast or publication
Also please include one copy of the published entry or one copy of the broadcast material with a copy of the script.
NOTE: the entry must be submitted or translated into English. If there is no English version, it will not be eligible for judging.
Entries must be received no later than July 15th, 2011.
Entries should be sent to either: Thomas Hjortsoe, Danish Broadcasting Corporation, DR Byen, Emil Holms Kanal 20, 0999 Copenhagen C, Denmark.
Or email address: thomashjortsoe [at] gmail.com
The award
The winning entrant will be notified approximately at the end of August 2011. Airfare, hotel, per diems and conference registration for the journalist or one member of the team is included in the award.
The presentation of the award of € 1.000 and a plaque will be made at the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Kyiv in October, 2011.
The jury
- Kajsa Norell, Sweden, European journalist of the year 2010
- Angelina Nunes, Brazil, leading investigative reporter at O Globo
- Paul C. Radu, Romania, awarded the Global Shining Light in Canada 2007
- Anton Harber, South Africa, professor and investigative reporter
Questions
Please turn to the secretary of the jury, Thomas Hjortsoe: thomashjortsoe [at] gmail.com
