Brussels, 04/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - On World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the European Commission launched the 17th Lorenzo Natali Prize, which is awarded every year to journalists from everywhere in the world who are committed to the cause of human rights, democracy and development. This international prize, which was created in 1992 and named after a former vice president of the European Commission, is open to all journalistic works, irrespective of whether they are published on radio, television, newspapers or the internet. It is awarded to journalists selected by an independent panel for the quality of their reports or articles.
"Democracy cannot exist without freedom of information. Lack of information makes for an unhealthy society. The ideals of development, human rights and democracy cannot be achieved without free and independent media to raise questions and stimulate debate", commented Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid.
Journalists can apply up to 30 June 2009 on the website http://www.nataliprize2009.eu. A total of €60,000 will be awarded to prizewinners from Africa, Europe, Maghreb/Middle East, Asia and Latin America/Caribbean. The awards ceremony, which will be attended by the commissioner, will be held in Stockholm this October.
For the organisation of the Lorenzo Natali Prize 2009, the European Commission is working together once again this year with Reporters sans frontières, the 2005 winner of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, and with the World Association of Newspapers, which represents more than 18,000 publications on five continents. (A.N./transl.fl)