2008 Inquirer Award Winners

The winners of The Inquirer Award 2008 for the investigative reporter of the year were announced at a special ceremony in Amman, Jordan, on February 27th under the patronage of HRH Princess Rym Ali.

This is the fourth year of the award scheme. For the first time, journalists from Iraq have competed alongside those from Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan.  There is also now a photojournalism category in addition to print and TV news reporting.

The judges have looked for entries demonstrating comprehensive and thorough research, incisive interviewing techniques, and creative and well-constructed writing and presentation. A total of 128 print articles, 20 television reports and 32 photographs were submitted.  The name of the reporter was blacked out and the entry was given a number.  The judges scored each entry according to six criteria.  Fifteen print entries and 10 television entries were then short-listed and sent to the final round judge from outside the region.

The total score has determined the first, second and third place winners in each category.

As well as receiving The Inquirer Award 2008 trophy, the first place winner from each of the three categories will be hosted by The Thomson Foundation for an all-expense paid study tour for one week in the UK.

Training workshops

As part of the project, specialised trainers from The Thomson Foundation ran a series of training workshops in investigative reporting skills as well as practical workshops on photojournalism in all participating countries.  A total of 110 print and television journalists and 45 photojournalists benefited from this practical training.

The Inquirer Award project aims to raise the professional standard of investigative journalism and to recognise the work of excelling journalists in the region.

Photojournalism

The Thomson Foundation recognises the vital part played by photographs in the reporting of news and current affairs.  Pictures are an integral part of the international language of communication.  With newspapers now competing with television and the Internet, the quality of their photography is fast becoming central to their success and even to their survival.

For the first time this year, The Thomson Foundation has added a photojournalism category to the Inquirer Award competition.  The judging panel selected 45 photos out of all photographs submitted for the competition.

The Thomson Foundation will be showcasing these photos in an exhibition that will tour Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine.

The Inquirer Award project is managed by The Thomson Foundation and is funded by the British government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

This year’s winners are listed below:

Print category

3rd Place for best investigative report for the print media
From Palestine; Mr. Hassan Yousef Dohan working for Al Hayat Al Jadeeda newspaper.
An investigation into the owners of the smuggling tunnels and the price paid by the people.

2nd Place for best investigative report for the print media
From Jordan; Mr. Emad Shaheen working for Al Muwajah weekly newspaper.
An investigation into allegations of human trafficking in the Qualified Industrial Zones in Jordan.

1st Place for best investigative report for the print media
From Palestine; Mr. Ibrahim Abu Kamish working for Al Hayat Al Jadeeda newspaper and Sanabel monthly newspaper.
An investigation into allegations of torture at the interrogation centres of the Palestinian Authority.

Television category

3rd Place for best investigative report for television
From Lebanon; Ms. Ogarite Dandash working for New TV
An investigation into allegations of torture in Lebanese jails.

2nd Place for best investigative report for television
From Lebanon; Mr. Faris Hatoum working for New TV
An investigation into the conditions of street children in Lebanon.

1st Place for best investigative report for television
From Lebanon; Mr. Riyad Qubaisi working for New TV
An investigation into the chaos of arms in a country rife with political and factional tensions.

Photojournalism caegory

3rd Place for best news photographer
From Syria; Mr. Wael Khalifah working for Al Baath Newspaper.
A series of photos on smoking and how it affects children.

2nd Place for best news photographer
From Palestine; Mr. Mohammad Al Baba working for AFP
A series of photos on the dangerous work of a photojournalist.

1st Place for best news photographer
From Palestine; Mr. Eyad Al Baba working for Al Ayyam Newspaper
A series of photos on the Egyptian – Palestinian border.