The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), launched today its first journalism award to recognize stories that best illustrate the humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts.
Titled “Red Cross Award for Humanitarian Reporting 2011,” the competition is open to all print/online, television and radio journalists who have published or aired insightful news reports, features or documentaries on the armed-conflict situation in the Philippines.
“Today is a very special day for us because apart from marking international humanitarian law (IHL) day, we are launching a competition that will honor journalists who serve as the voice of civilians affected by these clashes,” said Anastasia Isyuk, ICRC communication coordinator.
Nominations for the contest were opened today as the ICRC held a one-day workshop on IHL and reporting of conflict for about 30 journalists based in the Davao region.
The ICRC is an independent humanitarian organisation that aims to protect and assist victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination. In the Philippines, it coordinates with the PRC, its operational partner, in providing help to those affected by situations of violence.
In support of the project are the International News Safety Institute (INSI), Peace and Conflict Journalism Network-Philippines (Pecojon Phils.), Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE) and Rotary Club of Manila (RCM). All six organizations will be represented in the judging panels for the three categories.
Entries for the contest, which should highlight the consequences of armed conflict, must be sent to one of the following PACE member-schools: Central Luzon State University in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (Northern/Central Luzon), St. Scholastica’s College Manila (NCR/Southern Luzon), Cebu Technological University in Cebu City (Visayas), Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City (Mindanao).
Deadline for nominations is on 12 March 2011. Out of 32 finalists, the judges will select the awardees whose names will be announced on 8 May 2011, Red Cross Day.
Winners of the “Red Cross Award for Humanitarian Reporting” will be given various prizes including plaques, digital recorders, books, and the chance to receive trainings on IHL and conflict reporting.
“We hope this award will generate more interest in humanitarian reporting, and stir more journalists in tackling the many serious issues that surround the armed-conflict situation in the Philippines,” said Alexander Rosete, PRC officer-in-charge of communication.
The partner-organizations will be represented by Victor Redmond Batario, INSI consultant for Asia-Pacific; Charlie Saceda, Pecojon Philippines project head; Flordeliz Abanto, PACE president; and former Press Secretary Rod Reyes, journalism awards chair of Rotary Club of Manila.
For more details on the award, please contact: Allison Lopez, ICRC communication officer, 0908-8686884 E-mail redcrossawardph@gmail.com (for queries only) or visit www.icrc.org
