African Scoop Wins Top World Journalism Prize

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AFRICAN SCOOP WINS TOP WORLD JOURNALISM PRIZE
http://www.ifj.org/hrights/lorenzo/jury.html

BRUSSELS (International Federation of Journalists/Pacific Media Watch): Raymond Archer from Ghana, a young journalist who reported a deportation scandal that rocked the government of Sweden, has scooped the gold medal in the 2002 Lorenzo Natali Prize - one of the world's leading awards for journalists.

He is also the winner of the regional prize for Africa.

India's Asha Krishnakumar won the Asia-Pacific regional prize for her report "Weavers in distress" and the follow-up story "For the weavers", both published in Frontline.

Archer, Krishnakumar and other top-class journalists from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America were honoured by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the European Commission at a special prize-giving ceremony held at the International Press Centre, Residence Palace, in Brussels on Friday, November 15.

Each winner of the Natali Prize, which is presented to the cream of journalists reporting human rights, democracy and development receives 10,000 euros and a trophy.

The Natali Prize, which is awarded to print and/or on-line journalists who have demonstrated a striking insight and particular dedication to the reporting of human rights issues within the context of development, was established in 1992 to promote quality journalism and to commemorate the dedication of former Vice-President of the European Commission, Lorenzo Natali.

Since 1999 the prize has been administered by the IFJ, the world's largest organisation of journalists, which represents 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.

The prizes were presented by Poul Nielson, Commissioner of the European Union for Development and Humanitarian Aid.

The 2002 Lorenzo Natali Gold Medal Winner: Raymond Archer (Ghana) for his three articles "Ex-Minister in deportation scam", "Tragedy of youth deported for cash" and "Swedish Minister resigns over Amarki scam" published in The Ghanian Chronicle.

In the regional category of Africa, the 2002 Lorenzo Natali Prize went to: Raymond Archer (Ghana)

Commendations: Caroline Sorgho (Burkina Faso) for her article "Le Burkina, pivot d'un odieux commerce" published in L'Evénement. Mervin Syafunko (Zambia) for his article "The untold story of the Gwembe" published in The Monitor.

Winner of the Asia-Pacific regional category of the 2002 Lorenzo Natali Prize: Asha Krishnakumar (India) for her report "Weavers in distress" and the follow-up story "For the weavers" both published in Frontline.

Commendations: Rommy Fibri (Indonesia) on behalf of The Weekly Tempo News Magazine team for their report "Sex, Lies and Entertainment". Annam Suresh (India) for her 16 articles on Child trafficking and child prostitution published online on Wahindia.

Winner of the Europe regional category of the 2002 Lorenzo Natali Prize: Henrik Brun and Ulrikke Moustgaard (Denmark) for their five articles "Forsvaret st¢tter sex-mafia på Balkan", "Kvinden: Fanget i Xhevats fælde", "Tatjana og Kim, "Fakta til Tatjana og Kim" and "Soldaten: En soldats tjenstlige forseelse" about Danish peacekeepers' exploitation of trafficked women in Kosovo published in Information.

Commendations: Paul Cullen (Ireland) for his articles "Human Trafficking: Fleeing the tragic state of Nigeria" and "The trade that means misery by the cargo" published in The Irish Times. Karin Steinberger (Germany) for her article "Die verkauften Kinder von Poipet" published in Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Winner of the Latin America and the Caribbean regional category of Latin America and the Caribbean the 2002 Lorenzo Natali Prize: Mauri König (Brazil) for his article "Mentira encobre crime no quartel" published in O Estado Do Paraná AND Julio César Benegas Vidallet (Paraguay) for his five articles "La próxima víctima está vuelta de pagina", "Chantajes y temores obstaculizan cambios", "Corrupción y poder mantienen intacto el servicio militar", "Victimas del SMO provienen de familias muy humildes" and "Cada 35 días muere un soldado en los cuarteles del Ejército" all published in ABC Color

Commendations: Mário Magalhães (Brazil) for his article "A história de Alexandre" published in Folha de São Paulo. Irma Del Valle Alvarez Rojas (Venezuela) for her three articles "Atrapados en La Roca", "No olvidarán lo que vieron" and "El chichero no llegó a la plaza" published in Diario El Universal.

Winner of the North Africa and the Middle East regional category of the 2002 Lorenzo Natali Prize: 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 on Middle East online and in Middle East Times and Daily Star of Beirut.

Commendations: Sihem Bensedrine (Tunisia) for her article "Internet, la navigation sous haute surveillance" published online on Kalima Yahia Asad Shukkeir (Jordan) for his two-part report "Comments on the New Internet Centers Regulations" and "Confirming its illegality" published in Al Arab Al Yawm.

The full report from the jury is available on the IFJ web site: http://www.ifj.org/hrights/lorenzo/jury.html

The IFJ represents more than 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries

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