Winners of The Inquirer Awards 2011 with Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali (pictured fourth left) and Thomson Media Foundation chief executive Nigel Baker
« Click here for Arabic version of this story جائزة الصحافي المتقصي لعام ٢٠١١
Investigations into the use of pesticides in Palestine, rape within families, and the plight of foreign workers in Beirut were among the subjects tackled by the winners of the 2011 Thomson Media Foundation Inquirer Awards.
Journalists from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq were eligible to enter the competition. The winners were announced at a special ceremony in Amman, Jordan, under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali.
Some of the Middle East’s most distinguished journalists and media figures joined the 2011 judging panel, sifting through entries from print, television and photojournalists around the region. Reporters were free to choose the topic of their investigation, which had to demonstrate their ability to examine in depth a significant issue facing the region and its people.
Judges looked for entries that showed comprehensive and thorough research, incisive interviewing technique, and creative, well-constructed writing and presentation. Journalists’ names were not shown to judges representing the five participating countries. After an intensive first round, a shortlist of 15 entries from each category was assessed by a judge from outside the region, resulting in three winners for each category.
In addition to receiving an Inquirer Award trophy, the first place Print, Television and Photojournalism winners will travel to the UK, where they will visit some of the world’s most dynamic media organisations.
A total of 85 entries were received for the Print Media category; 19 entries for the Television category and 18 entries for the Photojournalism category.
The Inquirer Award project was first launched in Jordan in 2003. Since then it has grown to include Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq.
2011 Inquirer Award winners
Print Category
1st Place for best investigative report for the print media
From Gaza, Palestine, Ms. Maha Shahwan for Al Risalah newspaper
An investigation into rape cases within the same family
2nd Place for best investigative report for the print media
From Palestine, Ms. Samar Al Dreamly for Sama News Agency
An investigation into the use of pesticides in Palestine
3rd Place for best investigative report for the print media
From Lebanon, Mr. Salman Al Endary for Annahar Newspaper
An investigation into the possibility of the world coming to an end in 2012
Television category
1st Place for best investigative report for television
From Jordan, Ms. Raeda Hamra for Roya TV
An investigation into the conditions at Al Hashimya district in Jordan
2nd Place for best investigative report for television
From Palestine, Mr. Hamza Al Hattab for Wafa News Agency
An investigation into conditions in Tel Ramaida in the old town in Jericho
3rd Place for best investigative report for television
From Lebanon, Mr. Riyad Qubaisi for Al Jadeed TV
An investigation into conditions of foreign domestic workers in Beirut
Photojournalism category
1st Place for best Photojournalist
From Palestine, Mr. Mahmoud Allayyan from Al Quds Newspaper
2nd Place for best Photojournalist
From Palestine, Mr. Adel Hanna from the Associated Press
3rd Place for best Photojournalist
From Palestine, Mr. Ahmad Emad Deeb from Demotix
• The Inquirer Award has become a showcase for some of the region’s finest journalists. The Inquirer Awards past winners page lists journalists who have continued to earn the highest respect from peers and communities.
• For enquiries regarding the Inquirer Awards, email: inquirer.award@gmail.com
KEEP IN TOUCH! ... Subscribe to Thomson Foundation email updates for blogs, learning tips and more
Comments