The European Commission is holding a competition for the most newsworthy, original reports on poverty issues, as journalists play a key role in this debate, said European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor.
Commissioner Andor added: “To tackle poverty, we need to give a voice to those who are excluded and we need to understand the causes of poverty. At the same time, we must propose practical solutions that work.”
Marking the 2010 European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion, the European Year Journalist Award is open to print, online and audiovisual journalists and prizes will be awarded at both national and European level.
The most original and newsworthy reports will win €800 or the equivalent thereof nationally, and €4,500, €3,000 and €2,000 at a European level. The winners of this competition will be announced at a ceremony to be held in Brussels on 17 December.
The competition is now open and journalists can submit entries online via the 2010 European Year website until 31 August. Articles and audiovisual reports published or aired by a media outlet within the 27 member states, Iceland or Norway, between 1 October 2009 and 31 August, are eligible.
A jury of experts at national level will first judge all the entries and one winner for each category will be announced. These winners will then be entered for the European competition, which will culminate in a ceremony hosted by the Belgian Presidency in Brussels at the end of the year.
The journalist competition is one of the key EU-level activities during this European Year and aims to help raise public awareness on the issues surrounding poverty and social exclusion.
Other key events this year include a Europe-wide art contest, major conferences on specific issues such as child poverty and homelessness, and a series of events planned around the International Day against poverty in October.
For more details of the competition, please consult the website of the European Year 2010: http://www.2010againstpoverty.eu and go to the Journalist Award section: http://www.2010againstpoverty.eu/journalistaward