Entries are now open for Amnesty International Australia’s 2015 Media Awards, recognising excellence in reporting on human rights issues in the Australian media.
“In the past year we have seen exceptional reporting in Australia, with courageous, compelling and exclusive stories that expose or highlight human rights abuses, both at home and internationally,” said Karen Trentini, Amnesty International Australia Media Manager.
The Awards acknowledge the unique relationship between the issues that Amnesty International works on and the vital role journalists play in bringing human rights issues to public attention and to different and new audiences.
The Awards also recognise the dangers journalists can face around the world for doing their job. The 2014 Awards ceremony highlighted the plight of three media workers who were unjustly charged and imprisoned in Egypt at the time – Australian journalist Peter Greste and his Al Jazeera colleagues Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed.
“While Mohamed and Baher have since been released on bail and Peter deported they have all faced a retrial and are still waiting for justice to be served. Attacks on freedom of expression in Egypt continue with at least 18 journalists and other media workers currently detained in Egypt. The brutal murders of James Foley and Steven Sotloff in August last year made headlines across the globe, and many more have been killed since then including five reporters from Libya’s Barqa TV in April.
“For some media workers owning a press card in countries such as Mexico and Pakistan is so dangerous that many end up quitting their jobs altogether, fearing for their lives and the lives of their families,” said Trentini.
“Here in Australia, freedom of speech is being curtailed with workers on offshore detention centres gagged from speaking publicly about deplorable conditions and abuse. Amnesty International itself has been denied access to the Nauru detention centre – a visit took place in late 2012, however, since then one request for access has been denied and two more have not received a response. We are also concerned that Edward Snowden’s revelations of government surveillance add to fears of speaking out on a multitude of human rights issues.”
“This is not an easy time to be a journalist. We want to publicly recognise the journalists who go above and beyond to provide exceptional coverage of human rights issues.".
This year the awards have expanded to six categories:
• Print/Online
• Radio
• Television
• Photography
• Indigenous reporting
• Cartoon
The additional category of Cartoon has special significance as the past year saw the tragic deaths of 12 people during the Charlie Hebdo shooting, and Amnesty International is currently campaigning in support of Malaysian cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, who is being charged under the country’s sedition laws.
Journalists and their editors and producers are encouraged to go to www.amnesty.org.au/media-awards and enter stories published or broadcast between August 1 2014 and August 1 2015.
Entries close on August 14 with winners to be announced at a ceremony on November 10.
The Australian Awards are envisaged to expand in coming years to recognise more categories, in particular the work of student and emerging journalists.