Media

Global Shining Light Award

The Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Geneva will present an award for investigative journalism in a developing country or a country in transition, which was reported under threat, duress or in the direst of conditions.  This is the third conference at which the Global Shining Light Award is being granted. The first was presented at the Toronto Global Conference is 2007 and the second in Lillehammer in 2008.

Background

Each year dozens of journalists and media workers are killed – and hundreds more are attacked, imprisoned or threatened – just for just doing their job. Many of these violations of free expression occur in developing or emerging countries, and quite often during military conflicts. There are a number of international awards recognizing such attacks on freedom of expression.

However, another clear trend emerges in analyses of global attacks on reporters and the media. More and more journalists are being killed, and media outlets attacked, because they are carrying out important efforts in investigative journalism, exposing uncomfortable truths, shining light on systemic corruption, and providing accountability in societies yearning for democracy and development.  The Geneva conference will recognize and celebrate these courageous investigative journalists and their work.

Criteria

The journalist, journalism team and/or media outlet provided independent, investigative reporting, which was broadcast or published between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, and which:

  • Originated in and affected a developing or emerging country
  • Was of an investigative nature
  • Uncovered an issue, a wrong-doing and/or a system of corruption which gravely affected the common good, and
  • Did so in the face of arrest, imprisonment, violence against them and their families, and/or threats and intimidation

Nominations

Nominations for this award may be made by independent Investigative journalism organizations, associations of journalists, independent media outlets, or a fellow investigative journalist.

SUBMISSIONS SHOULD INCLUDE:

  • A nomination letter listing the journalist’s name (or names of team members), and name of his/her media organization with address, telephone number, fax and email.
  • The letter should provide a brief summary of the entry topic, explaining the importance of the story, the challenges faced in reporting it, and the political or social impact it made upon its broadcast or publication.
  • One copy of the published entry or one copy of the broadcast material with a copy of the script

NOTE: the entry must be submitted or translated into English or French. If there is no English or French version, it will not be eligible for judging.

Entries must be received no later than January 29th, 2010.

Entries should be sent to: Sandra Bartlett, CBC National Radio News, Room 3B200D, P.O. Box 500, Station A, Toronto, M5W1E6

Email adress: [email protected]

The award

The winning entrant will be notified approximately mid-March, 2010. Airfare, hotel, per diems and conference registration for the journalist or one member of the team is included in the award.

The presentation of the 2000 Swiss Francs award and a plaque will be  made at the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Geneva in April, 2010.