Nominations Open for IWMF 2017 Courage In Journalism Award! Honoring Women Journalists Worldwide

Deadline: 15 March 2017

International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) is seeking nominations for its 2017 Courage In Journalism Award with an aim to honor three women journalists who have demonstrated extraordinary strength of character in pursuing their profession under difficult or dangerous circumstances such as government oppression, threats to personal safety, and other intimidating obstacles.

Founded in 1990 by a group of prominent U.S. women journalists, the International Women’s Media Foundation is a Washington-based organization that is dedicated to strengthening the role of women journalists worldwide. The IWMF believes the news media worldwide are not truly free and representative without the equal voice of women. The IWMF celebrates the courage of women journalists who overcome threats and oppression to speak out on global issues.

Each year, the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage in Journalism Award honors women journalists for their extraordinary bravery. In facing and surviving danger to uncover the truth, they raise the bar for reporting under duress. The IWMF also recognize the pioneers who kicked down barriers to make it possible for women all over the world to find their voices and make them heard.

The Courage Awards highlight the importance of freedom and helps to turn a spotlight on the work of brave, uncompromising journalists. They also help turn a harsh light on the countries and conflicts in which those journalists work.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates for the Courage in Journalism Awards must be full-time staff or freelance women reporters, writers, editors, photographers, or producers working in any country and of any nationality.
• Self-nominations are not accepted.
• Although preferred languages for submissions are English, French, Russian and Spanish, submissions in any language will be considered.
• Candidates must currently be full-time or freelance women journalists working in print, broadcast or online media in any country.

Documents Required

• Description of the conditions under which the candidate works;
• Description of specific instances where the candidate has faced danger because of her work, such as government oppression, torture, threats to family, defamation or imprisonment;
• Nomination statement describing why this journalist merits consideration for the IWMF’s Courage in Journalism Award. The nomination statement is a very important part of the selection process. Please explain in detail how your candidate meets the qualifications using specific examples to illustrate the candidate’s courage and determination in support of press freedom. Nominators are encouraged to read short biographies of previous award winners.

Examples of the candidates work (additional materials will be requested on a case-by-case basis):

• For print journalists (including online media): 2-3 articles written by the candidate;
• For editors or publishers: 2-3 examples of overall work;
• For TV or radio reporters or producers: audio or video clip which features the candidate or is produced by the candidate (audio tapes can be uploaded electronically or submitted by mail on cassettes, CDs or by electronic audio file; video clips can be uploaded electronically or submitted by mail in DVD, BETA or NTSC format);
• For photojournalists: 4-5 photographs taken by the candidate;

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply via given website.

For more information, please visit IWMF Courage In Journalism Award.