Samir Kassir Award to recognise work of two journalists this year
The best of regional journalism will be recognised under the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press, which aims to promote investigative journalism.
"The award comes as part of the EU”s goal to help promote freedom of the press in the Arab world," European Commission in Amman Press Officer Giuseppe Vasquez told The Jordan Times, adding that there is no regional or national limit to submissions for the award.
For the first time, the award will be given to two journalists: One for an opinion pieces and a second for investigative journalism, he indicated.
The contest for the fourth edition of the award is open to candidates from the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Gulf, with the deadline for submissions on March 30, 2009.
All print journalists (daily, weekly, monthly and online press), regardless of age, who are citizens of the following countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, are eligible to apply, according to the European Commission.
In order to qualify, journalists need to submit an opinion article or an investigative article related to the rule of law or human rights, including topics such as good governance, corruption and the freedom of expression, published between March 15, 2008 and March 15 of this year in one of the countries listed or in a European Union member state.
The articles should have been published in dailies, weeklies, monthly periodicals or online news websites to be considered, according to organisers.
Journalists will compete for two 12,500 euro prizes for the best opinion article and investigative report, to be awarded on June 2 in Beirut.
The jury is composed of nine members from the media and civil society, and one observer representing the European Commission.
Awarded by the European Commission in collaboration with the Samir Kassir Foundation, the honour perpetuates the commitment of the journalist and writer Samir Kassir to human rights and the rule of law. Since 2006, it has rewarded journalists who have proved to be exemplary in their work.
Kassir, who openly opposed the Syrian military presence in Lebanon, became a renowned activist for reconciliation, human rights and freedom of the press while writing for Beirut-based daily An Nahar.
He was assassinated in the summer of 2005.