Media Awards on reporting of Human Trafficking and HIV

Media Awards on reporting of Human Trafficking and HIV

Media can play a critical role in the prevention and control of trafficking and HIV/AIDS by increasing the knowledge and understanding among key stakeholders and people at large. The media can give a face to the issue, shape the debate and help determine the choices available.

It has been observed that reporting on such issues is a complex but an ever expanding area of work today. There is no doubt on the importance of the work that has been done. However there is still a need for continued, consistent and sensitive reporting on the issue. While journalists can be effective in influencing public knowledge and opinion on the clandestine nature of trafficking, there is an urgent need for action translating into commitment from the media and the public.

One of the fundamental and central elements of the UNDP-TAHA project is generating rights and gender sensitive responses to trafficking and HIV. To facilitate this process an innovative approach has been undertaken to mobilise and sensitize media for sensitive and priority reporting on issues of trafficking and HIV. The aim is to gain visibility/priority for the issue in both the national and local media – print as well as electronic.

As part of the media strategy, HDRN which is TAHA’s implementing partner is announcing media awards for the four best published and aired reports each, four for print and four for electronic, on issues related to trafficking and HIV.

The media personnel will be given two months to research, write and publish or air their work after filling the application.

The main objectives of the initiative are:
Help journalists improve the quality of reporting, in terms of comprehensive and sensitive reporting, on issues related to trafficking and HIV
Provide motivation for in-depth research, study and deliver reports on related issues to the subject
Reinforce participants' commitment to address the issue through their work

Awards are open to all categories of news media, specifically, newspapers, magazines, internet, radio and television; and all categories of media personnel including producers, photographers, artists, reporters, editors, etc.

The media personnel may participate in the initiative on a part-time basis and continue writing or reporting during the stipulated two month period. Participants are encouraged to do reporting based on their research and to experiment with different media or forms of writing. Participants are free to work from home, or base themselves wherever convenient. Preference will be given to reports written and published in regional languages.

Reports can be designed as a one off article or a series of in-depth articles, a radio or television special. When applying, applicants are not required to have a detailed project proposal; a broad outline is sufficient. Projects are expected to be diverse in focus and scope, while reflecting a strong emphasis on trafficking and HIV issues.

As part of the final selection process, short listed reports will be vetted by a three-member panel of renowned experts on the subject of anti-trafficking and media.

How to Apply

Eligibility:

Entry is free and open to all Indian citizens over 18 years.
Research/reporting projects should be focused on trafficking and HIV issues in the Indian context. However, considering that trafficking is also an inter-country and cross- border issue reports highlighting such linkages will not be rejected.
Work must be published in the national or regional media during January – September 2006. Those submitting reports in the regional language should also provide an English translation of the same.
Any journalist, editor, or producer specializing in health reporting or wanting to do so is eligible. There is no age restriction, but media personnel should have at least five years experience.

Priority will be given to reports that are published/ aired and reach a mass audience specifically regional language. Priority will also be given to those reports having in-depth study.

To Apply
Please fill in the application form which is available on www.hdrn.org/......

Time Frame

The application should submitted by August 10, 2006.
Duration of the initiative: August 10 – October 7, 2006

The Award

The winners will be announced on October 10, 2006. The results will be notified by email or telephone.

Eight media personnel will be awarded Rs. 25,000/ - each (four from the print and four from the electronic media).

A certificate from be given from UNDP-TAHA and HDRN.

Award Criteria

Information provided in the report is useful to the public.
Information provided in the report could influence policymakers.
Report written in a simple and easily understood language and format.
Reporting facts that have not been reported so far – unearthing new facts relating to the subject.
Accurate and balanced information provided in a clear and structured fashion.
A creative journalistic approach would score brownie points.


For more details, you can contact:

HIV and Human Development Resource Network
J – 50, B.K. Dutt Colony
Jor Bagh Lane
New Delhi – 110003
Tel: 91.11.24652297/98
Email: hdrn@youandaids.org