Lirenzo Natali Prize for journalists reporting on Human Rights and Democracy

Lorenzo Natali and the European Comission

“The Natali Prize for journalism is a prize for excellence in reporting on human rights and democracy in the developing world. It was created in 1992 by the European Union to promote quality in journalism and to commemorate the devotion of Lorenzo Natali, the former Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of development cooperation between 1985 and 1989. His work and commitment contributed significantly to increase the importance of development cooperation within the policies of the then European Communities.

The Natali Prize emphasizes that the right to information is a prerequisite for freedom of expression. Freedom of information is a prerequisite for democracy, and for sustainable and balanced social and economic development.

Quality journalism plays an important part in defending the right for information. Being a journalist today remains difficult and also dangerous in many countries. Journalists are still threatened and attacked when they expose situations where human rights and democracy are threatened. Therefore, quality journalism on such issues is essential and needs our firm support.

The Natali Prize, given by the European Commission, is a token of our belief in good journalist practice as a guardian of democracy and human rights. The winners of the Natali Prize will give proof of their professional courage and skills.

Through the Natali Prize, all participating journalists will have the opportunity to contribute to our belief in the importance of freedom of information for the safeguard of human rights and the promotion of democracy and sustainable development.”

Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid

The Lorenzo Natali Prize:

Established by the European Commission in 1991, the Lorenzo Natali Prize for Journalism is awarded annually to journalists from the written and on-line press for outstanding reporting on human rights and democracy in the developing world as vital elements of the economic and social development in these countries.

In 2005, the European Commission will award a prize in each of the following five regions: Europe (EU Member States, states of central and eastern Europe and Mediterranean states), Africa, the Arab world, Iran and Israel, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean.

All prize nominees will be special guests of the European Commission at the Lorenzo Natali Prize-Giving ceremony in Brussels in January 2006. Each prizewinner will recfeive a Trophy and a financial award according to the following distribution:

1st prize : 5.000 €

3rd prize: 1.500 €

Additionally, a Grand Prize will be awarded for the best article. The GRAND PRIZE will receive 5,000 € more.

Who can enter?

The Lorenzo Natali Prize is open to print and on-line journalists employed by the local media in the five regions listed in the rules here beneath. Eligible journalists should have written reports, which focus on human rights or democracy in the developing world. Each applicant or group of applicants is allowed to submit ONE article (or an extract of a series of articles on ONE subject), published between 1 January 2004 and 31 August 2005.

How to enter?

It is easy to enter. You only need to fill in the application form which can be downloaded at the following website www.nataliprize.info, along with an electronic version of your article.

Before submitting, please read carefully the Prize rules outlined below.
There is no entry fee. The application may also be submitted by

fax:

+33 1 3429 4477

or address:

ProPager – Prix Lorenzo Natali
70, boulevard de Reuilly – 75012 Paris – France

The deadline for entries is 31 October 2005