Brussels, 15/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has launched its sixth consecutive annual “For Diversity. Against Discrimination” European journalist competition. This competition, open to both print and online journalists, showcases the work of media professionals who, through their writing help to bring about better understanding of the benefits of diversity and to tackle discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or ethnic origin. This year, there is to be a special category for articles focusing on the link between poverty and discrimination, the Commission has announced in a press release.
The competition is organised in partnership with the Association of European Journalists, European Youth Press and the European Journalism Centre. To be eligible for the competition, articles have to have been published between 30 November 2008 and 31 August 2009 either in print or online within the EU. Entries should be submitted on http: //journalistaward.stop-discrimination.info
At the end of the entry period, judging panels will meet in each of the 27 member states to select national winning articles. A European panel will thereafter select the best three articles and the overall European Journalist Award winner from among the 27 national winners. The winner of the first prize will receive €4,500, the second, €3,000 and the third €2,000.
The Commission says that, this year, ahead of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, a special prize will be awarded for the best article on discrimination and poverty. It says that, to be considered for this award, articles must focus either on how discrimination based on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation can lead to poverty, or how poverty can lead to discrimination. The prize for the winning article will be €2,500.
For further information, go to http: //http://www.stop-discrimination.info/881.0.html (G.B./transl.rt)