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Award to Recognise Investigative Journalism on Corruption in Latin America

First prize winner to be awarded US$ 25,000

Instituto Prensa y Sociedad (IPYS), a journalism organisation based in Perú and Transparency International (TI), the global anti-corruption civil society organisation, today launched the seventh edition of the only Latin American prize aimed at promoting and encouraging investigative journalism on corruption.

The annual prize started in 2002, grants US$ 25,000 dollars to the best investigative report on corruption published in Latin American or Caribbean media. A further two awards, worth US $5,000 each will be granted to notable investigative work. To be eligible, reports must have been published between 1 January and 31 December 2008. The deadline for submissions (print, broadcast, or electronic media) is 31 March 2009.

“With this new edition we continue to strengthen and promote investigative journalism; it fulfils an exceptional role and needs to be encouraged” commented Ricardo Uceda, Executive Director of IPYS. “This kind of journalism is not easy. It requires time and resources that are not readily available, and leads to being confronted with the pressures and risks brought on by conflicting interests."

The aim of the award is to recognise the work of those who raise awareness of corruption in Latin America, where indicators such as Transparency International’s 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) show that the problem has reached alarming proportions, and pinpoints where its existence hinders economic and social development. “Good journalism is one of the best ways to demonstrate how corruption works in reality, illustrating corruption’s impact on daily lives and the systemic weaknesses that allow it to flourish”, said Marta Erquicia, Transparency International’s Program Coordinator for Latin America.

The highly experienced jury comprises prestigious journalists with a deep understanding of the Latin American reality: Gerardo Reyes, researcher for Miami’s El Nuevo Herald, and joint winner of the Pulitzer prize; Tina Rosenberg, The New York Times journalist and winner of the Pulitzer prize; Gustavo Gorriti, IPYS president; Michael Reid, editor for the Américas of The Economist; and Marcelo Beraba, director of the Grupo Estado and the Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalists. The jury will convene in July 2009.


For any press enquiries please contact

Berlin:
Marta Erquicia
T: +49 30 343820651
E: [email protected]

Lima:
Carlos Bracamonte
T: +511 2473308
E: [email protected]