2nd PopDev Media Awards launched

The Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development has launched the 2nd Annual PopDev Media Awards.

The awards aims to recognize the efforts of media practitioners in helping the citizenry understand the complex relationship between population and development, and to recognize the worthy contributions of the media in raising awareness to the public and advancing policies on population development.

Unlike on the first year of the awards when only three winners were chosen from all over the country - Jullie Yap-Daza of Manila Standard, Jaileen Jimeno of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and Christine Herrera of Manila Standard - this year's search now goes regional and is open to all print journalists nationwide.

A total of 12 awards will be up for Metro Manila-based (national) journalists, Luzon-based (regional), Visayas-based (regional) and Mindanao-based (regional) journalists, who shall compete for the following categories: Best in Investigative Reporting, Best in Reportage and Best in Opinion/Editorial Writing.

To qualify, written works must have been published between October 1, 2005 and August 15, 2006 and must feature population and development issues including population and education, population and health services, family planning, migration and reproductive health and rights. Application forms and further details may be obtained at www.plcpdfound.org.

Deadline for submission of entries is on August 31. Entries per region (Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao) shall undergo preliminary screening. There shall be separate screening committees per region.

All 12 winners will receive cash prizes, trophies and study tours at the United Nations Population Fund project areas in the Philippines. Three citations under a specialized category will also be given to stories published online or through wire agencies.

The 2nd Annual PopDev Media Awards project is sponsored by PLCPD and is being implemented with support from the UNPF. - Jasmin R. Uy