Applications sought for international reporting prize

The Natali Prize for journalism is a prize for excellence in reporting on human rights and democracy in the developing world. It was created in 1992 by the European Union to promote quality in journalism and to commemorate the devotion of Lorenzo Natali, the former Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of development cooperation between 1985 and 1989. His work and commitment contributed significantly to increase the importance of development cooperation within the policies of the then European Communities.

The Natali Prize emphasizes that the right to information is a prerequisite for freedom of expression. Freedom of information is a prerequisite for democracy, and for sustainable and balanced social and economic development.

Quality journalism plays an important part in defending the right for information. Being a journalist today remains difficult and also dangerous in many countries. Journalists are still threatened and attacked when they expose situations where human rights and democracy are threatened. Therefore, quality journalism on such issues is essential and needs our firm support.

The Natali Prize, given by the European Commission is a token of our belief in good journalist practice as a guardian of democracy and human rights. The winners of the Natali Prize will give proof of their professional courage and skills.

Through the Natali Prize, all participating journalists will have the opportunity to contribute to our belief in the importance of freedom of information for the safeguard of human rights and the promotion of democracy and sustainable development.

Rules:

1. Print and/or on-line journalists employed by the local media in the regions outlined in rule 12 are invited to submit an application (individually OR in a group).
2. Applicants can only enter once (individually OR in a group).
3. Applicants must submit ONE article or an extract of a series of articles on ONE subject, which addresses human rights and/or democracy in the developing world. Applicants submitting more than ONE article or extract of a series of articles will be disqualified.
4. The article or the extract of a series of articles submitted must not be longer than 10 000 signs (about 5 pages with spaces).
5. The article or the extract of a series of articles must have been published in print and/or on-line general news media and distributed to the general public between 1 January 2004 and 31 August 2005.
6. The article or the extract of a series of articles must be submitted in one of the 20 official languages of the European Union, along with a summary in English, French or Spanish. This summary should be carefully written since it will serve as the basis for the pre-selection by a journalism school, which will only present 10 articles per region to the Grand Jury (10 lines or 600 signs maximum length, with spaces and double spacing).
7. Each selected applicant must furnish :
   • either the original article along with the written consent of the author
   • or the copy of the article with the written consent of the chief editor or of a professional body.
8. Print journalists must submit an original copy or a high quality photocopy of the original article or extract of a series of articles. On-line journalists are required to send a copy of the published article in HTML format by e-mail or on a floppy disk or a CD-ROM, or an URL that can be viewed unaltered for judging from October to December 2005.
9. The name of the author and the date of publication should be clearly indicated on all articles (print and on-line) submitted. (Note that no articles submitted to the Natali Prize will be returned).
10. Each entry must come with an entry form, which is available at the Lorenzo Natali Prize website, the European Commission Delegations or ProPager.
11. An independent jury made up of media, development and human right professionals will examine the 50 pre-selected articles and suggest a list of prizewinners to the European Commission.
12. The European Commission will award the Lorenzo Natali Prizes on the basis of a proposal from the jury. Three Prizes will be awarded in each of the following five regions :
    • Europe (EU Members States, states of central and eastern Europe and Mediterranean states)
    • Africa
    • The Arab World, Iran and Israel
    • Asia and the Pacific
    • Latin America and the Caribbean
13. The jury will consider:
    • the quality of professionalism and journalistic standards applied in the preparation and dissemination of the article;
    • the exemplary nature of the article and its impact on and relevance to public opinion.

    The Grand Jury may decide not to recommend a Prize if the criteria listed here above is not reunited.

14. The decision of the jury and the European Commission shall be final.
15. Each winner will receive a Trophy and a Financial Award according to the following distribution :
    
    1st Prize: 5.000 Euros 2nd Prize: 2.500 Euros 3rd Prize: 1.500 Euros Additionally, a Grand Prize will be awarded for the best article. The Grand Prize will receive 5.000 Euros more.
16. The European Commission has the right to reproduce and disseminate the work submitted in its publications and publicity material for the Lorenzo Natali Prize.
17. Articles written by current members of staff of the European Community institutions or ProPager will not be considered for the Lorenzo Natali Prize.
18. The deadline for entries is 31 October 2005.

Applictions should be submitted by Fax or mail :

Download the PDF registration form here.

Fax : +33 1 34 29 44 77

Mail :

ProPager - Prix Lorenzo Natali

70 Bd de Reuilly - 75012 PARIS

FRANCE

Alternatively, click here to apply online.