Lorenzo Natali Prize for journalism

Application Deadline: June 30

Journalists who have covered democracy, human rights and/or development can enter the Lorenzo Natali Prize for journalism, in honor of the now deceased former vice-president of the European Commission in charge of cooperation and development policies.

Print, online, radio and TV journalists are invited to submit an application, including one journalistic work or an extract of a series of journalistic works that has been printed or aired between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008.

In 2007, more than 1529 journalists from 165 countries participated. Fifteen award winners were selected by an independent jury, made up of NGO representatives, leading journalists, and news agency representatives.

In the words of Louis Michel, Commissiorner for development and humanitarian aid, "The Natali Prize was created in 1992 by the European Union so as to promote quality journalism and to remind the memory of the dedication of Lorenzo Natali, former vice-president of the European Commission in charge of cooperation for the development between 1985 and 1989. His work and personal commitment very much contributed to increase the importance of the cooperation policy for the development in the European Communities of that time."

For further details and submission of the application click here.

Jafferson Fellowship for Asian journalists

Application deadline June 4

Jafferson Fellowships program are providing a chance to the Asian journalists to cover 2008 elections.
This special Jefferson Fellowships program will provide journalists from Asia, the Pacific and the U.S. with an opportunity to explore the important issues in this 2008 election, learn about the U.S. political process, observe this historic election and finally, discuss the outcome with U.S. analysts and one another. The Fellows in this program will benefit from the rich opportunity to share among themselves the perspectives of journalists from across the region and the concerns of their governments and people.
After one week of discussion sessions with regional experts and one another at the East-West Center in Honolulu, participants will travel to various areas of the United States to discuss election issues and attitudes with policymakers, business leaders, community activists, and most importantly, voters from a range of important constituencies such as recent immigrants, retirees, blue collar workers, factory owners, religious groups, African American communities, young people and women. In Phoenix, Arizona, John McCain’s home state, Fellows will explore the complexities of health care and immigration. In Erie, Pennsylvania and Cleveland, Ohio, cities in America’s “rust-belt,” an area hard hit by globalization, the program will focus on attitudes toward the economy, trade, social values, and America’s future. Fellows will observe the election in Ohio, the state that determined the 2004 contest in favor of George Bush and which is predicted to serve as a bellwether again this year. They will then travel to Washington, DC for a discussion with analysts, policymakers, journalists and others on what the results mean for the United States and its relations with Asia, the Pacific and the rest of the world.
For more information and application click here.

The Bastiat Prize for Journalism 2008

Deadline Date June 30, 2008

The Bastiat Prize, named behind the 18th-century French philosopher and journalist Frederic Bastiat has been announced. This prize was developed to encourage and reward writers whose published works promote the "institutions of a free society": limited government, rule of law brokered by an independent judiciary,
protection of private property, free markets, free speech, and sound
science. The prize (a total of US$10,000) will be awarded to one or
more authors. The Prize is open to all writers, anywhere in the world;
writers need not be associated with any specific publication.

Entries, which should take the form of one or more published articles,
are judged according to their intellectual content, the persuasiveness
of the language, and the type of publication in which they appeared.
Articles must be in English and should not exceed 4,500 words,
published between July 1 2007 and June 30 2008, in recognised news
publications. Finalists will be invited to a ceremony in New York, NY,
United States, in October 2008, where winners will be announced.

The deadline for application is June 30 2008.

Application Information
Click here for more information and the rules of submission.

Entries can be submitted through the online entry form or by email,
fax, or post using the contact information below. Submissions by fax,
post, or email must include a Bastiat Prize Submission Form, available
through the link above.

KUJ protests against manhandling of newsmen

Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) has protested against manhandling of photographers and senior journalists when they tried to cover a protest demonstration of Muhajir Qaumi Movement(Haqeeqi) outside the Karachi Press Club, which was attacked by supporters of Muttahid Qaumi Movement (Altaf).
KUJ in an emergency meeting on Thursday afternoon clearly pointed out towards MQM (A) men for snatching cameras from photographers and beating them up.
Veteran journalist Abdul Hameed Chhapra, Ahfaz ul Rahman, Khursheed Tanveer and others called on those who barred newsmen from their duty that journalist would continue giving voice to the voiceless, which was their duty.
They said when MQM(A) had cried in the past of the state atrocities against them, journalists had given them due coverage but when they enjoyed fruits of the government they had become part of the establishment, they were playing in the hands of the agencies and were trying to stop any voice against them.
On Wednesday afternoon, MQM (H) women were protesting for the independence of judiciary, when a group of MQM (A) supporters carrying weapons attacked the rally.
Usually, police men are found outside the KPC most of the times, but they did not came farward to protect the victims.
The incident laid to the murder of one worker of MQM (H).
However, the KUJ leaders said journalists did not belong to any political party, and the KPC was a place where voiceless people, most of the times, came to record their voice and it was their (journalists) duty to give them coverage.
They said they would not be undermined through pressure tactics.

KUJ denounce PEMRA

Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) in a meeting on sunday evening here at the karachi press club denounced Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority saying it was unconstitutional. Khursheed Tanveer, president and khursheed Abbasi, secretary general of the journalist union and other activists addressed the hurriedly called gathering. It was called after Pemra's decision which bans live coverage of the general elections in pakistan to be held tomorrow monday february 18. Earlier elections were announced on jan 8 but the loot and plundering that followed murder of Benazir Bhutto, the most popular leader in the country, laid to the postponement of the elections. Pakistan's media is going through curbs and barring it from the live coverage would be an addition to it . Besides it will pave way for those who plan for rigging.

Shahbaz Sharif

Leader of Pakistan Muslim League and former chief minister of the punjab MIAN SHAHBAZ SHARIF addressed meet the press club at karachi press club on wednesday evening. He said those societies where there is no justice would not sustain for longer. He said current judges have taken oath of loyalty with Pervez Musharraf. They can not provide justice to the people. Talking no controversial dam 'kalabagh' he said it could be beneficial but if it was constructed without consensus of the four provinces it would shack up roots of this country.

Love

One of my friends sent me this photo a few days back. Pictures speak sometimes so does this one. It shows two things at the same time. One is love and the other is jealousy. Even at this age all natural expressions can be seen. Just wanted to share it with you too.

Purpose of sharing this picture with you is just to come out of the hibernation, I went into last month after murder of Benazir Bhutto.

After assassination of the most popular leader of Pakistan, I had gone nearly into coma, as no hope was left in the future.

When I received this photo, this reminded me that there is still hope, as children are future of the country, as they have true expressions. But, the terrorists in my country do not want children live happy.