"For Diversity. Against Discrimination." Journalist Award 2008

The "For Diversity. Against Discrimination." Journalist Award honours online and print journalists in the EU who, through their work, contribute to a better public understanding of the benefits of diversity and the fight against discrimination.

Now in its fifth year, the competition is open to journalists in the EU who write on issues of discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, disability and sexual orientation.

All articles must have been published in either a print or an online media outlet in the EU, including the publications of individual companies, associations or universities.

An independent jury of media professionals and anti-discrimination experts will select 27 national award winners. These entries will then be judged by an EU Jury which will choose an overall winner and two runners-up. Winners can look forward to prizes with a value of up to €4,500 consisting of activities or equipment, such as participation at a conference or seminar on discrimination in the EU, a trip to Brussels to meet relevant EU officials, MEPs and other stakeholders or electronic equipment to help with their work.

This year’s competition includes a Special Award which will be presented to journalists whose work highlights the treatment of the Roma, a community which frequently suffers from racial violence, hate speech and discrimination in accessing employment, education, health care, and public and social services. The juries will also select national winners as well as one overall European winner in this special category.

All entries must be submitted online via the Journalist Award 2008 website which will be launched at the beginning of August. The deadline for entries is 31 October 2008.