Deadline: 31-Jan-21
The Asia Centre is inviting nominations for its Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award 2020-21 under the theme: Inequality crisis and the pandemic. The Journalism for an Equitable Asia Award aims to recognize and encourage more journalists to write for a fairer Asia that works for all its people.
Asia, just like the rest of the world, is grappling with COVID-19. Despite tremendous economic growth and advances in healthcare, technology, and elsewhere during the preceding decades, we are struggling to overcome the pandemic and the resultant economic and social fallouts. As of now, there’s no end in sight and no direct path to recovery, with experts predicting human progress could be set decades back by the time the crisis ends.
Inequalities, not just between people, but also between nations and regions, have become visible. Many nations in region and elsewhere have paid a hefty price – in lives, in GDPs, and in social stability by excluding communities. To tackle the pandemic where no one can be safe in isolation and where they can only be safe if all of us, the systems must change to be inclusive.
To build back better, more resources must go to building up public services like education and socio-economic solutions that favor the poor, disadvantaged groups, and small businesses. Beyond the pandemic, such systemic change is essential to tackle any future crises – natural or man-made. In addressing inequality and ensuring the wellbeing of people, the climate crisis is also a priority that must be addressed.
As a voice of the people, journalists have the skills and visibility to draw public attention to gaps and loopholes in the basic social infrastructures. Across Asia, journalists have reported on the plight of people who’ve been suffering injustice, discrimination, and exclusion to create social empathy and engagement for progress. Journalists have and can influence the policymakers and action leaders in governments, businesses, and among the general public.
The award will launch onsite or online in several countries in South and Southeast Asia: Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Should the COVID-19 pandemic still persist in the early part of 2021 where travel and face-to-face meetings are not possible, then online sessions such as webinars will be held.
Benefits
- The top 3 winners will receive cash awards and will be recognised at the Award Ceremony.
- The top 10 journalists (Depending on their ability to participate) will be invited to participate in the Journalism for an Equitable Asia Forum following the Award Ceremony to be held in Bangkok.
- Top 5 journalists from each country will receive certificates recognizing their work.
Criteria for Nomination
Journalists are eligible for nomination if they meet the following criteria:
- Written English articles of minimum 650 words in length published in print or digital platform (Any written medium or public platform is eligible given the fulfillment of all the other criteria)
- Journalists writing two or more pieces published on the theme of inequality crisis and the pandemic from 31st January 2020 to 31st January 2021 will be eligible
- The nominated article(s) should cover how vulnerable communities across Asia are facing challenges from COVID-19, but go beyond to include structural issues such as inequality, poverty and dysfunctional governance from lenses such as economic inequality, women’s rights, public services, taxation, climate justice, etc. They may also discuss practices and policies that contribute to building a fairer Asia
- Journalists may also submit articles published in other languages with a mandatory English translation.
Nomination Process
- Awards nominations can be submitted online.
- Journalists themselves, readers, media institutions or interested others such as civil society and academia may submit nominations.
- Each valid nomination must contain the name of the journalist, verifiable details of the published article(s) (links), their media affiliation(s), the contact information (Email, WhatsApp/line, phone) of the journalist.
- While they are required to submit proof of two published articles, they must also indicate which one they’d prefer to be considered for the award.
- In case online links are not available they can submit the scanned articles (translations) as pdf documents.
For more information, visit https://asiacentre.org/event/journalism-for-an-equitable-asia-award-2020-21/