August 15, 2008) Internews is pleased to announce the launch of the online application for the Every Human has Rights Media Awards, allowing journalists and citizen journalists to upload their human rights reports in any media – TV, radio, print or internet. The EHHR Media Awards is organized by Internews and the Every Human Has Rights Campaign, supported by the Elders, for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The preamble of the Universal Declaration, written 60 years ago, affirms that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the document “as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations” and that it should be kept in mind by “every individual and every organ of society”. In this time of uncertainty, fear and great difficulties all over the world, the EHHR Media Award applauds those in the media who use their influence to promote the education and respect for the rights and freedoms of the Universal Declaration so that their audiences are enabled to “secure their universal and effective recognition and observance”. “When 60 years ago the UN worked on the UDHR text, it took 1400 separate votes – on each definition, on every word. I think this is a good lesson for journalists. Human beings and human rights are at the core of journalism in general. But the key characteristic of good journalists is the responsibility for each and every word they choose. We really want our Awards to help highlight new names of talented and responsible journalists across our entire vast and diverse world“, says Manana Aslamazyan, Executive Director of Internews Europe and a Member of the Academy of Russian Television. Until September 15, 2008, midnight, GMT+2, print, radio, TV and online journalists, photojournalists and bloggers from any country will be able to send their human rights stories in any language through the EHHR Media Awards website: http://media-awards.everyhumanhasrights.org/en/user/register Submitted reports should illustrate one or more articles of the UDHR with world and current affairs reports and to show how relevant and contemporary the declaration is, by linking it with issues affecting local and international audiences today. 249 participants from 91 countries have already signed up for the awards and expressed their will to take this challenge. Among them, 30 winners will be selected by a professional international jury and awarded an all expenses paid trip to Paris in December 2008, where they will meet human rights leaders and receive a prize for their contribution to illustrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with powerful and eye-opening stories. The following special awards will also be given: ·Best TV: EUR1000 · Best radio: EUR1000 · Best print (online and offline): EUR1000 Best citizen journalism/blog item: EUR1000 ·Best investigative report: EUR1500 ·Most courageous investigation/best unpublished story: EUR2000 ·Prize of the public for the most eye opening report: EUR1000 Award winners will be assisted by Internews in Paris in covering human rights related events across Paris in the lead up to the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on December 10, 2008. Internews, a founding member of the Global Forum for Media Development, hopes to reach local media and media support organizations with access to both mainstream and isolated audiences around the world with information on the awards and on the UDHR. The goal is to generate powerful human rights stories that will reach audiences around the world. In addition, participating journalists will gain the opportunity to meet and learn from new colleagues, cover the December 2008 events in Paris, and celebrate together the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.