JournalismPakistan.com | Published March 18, 2014
Join our WhatsApp channelPARIS: Agence France-Presse on Tuesday launched the 2014 edition of the Kate Webb Prize, which the global news agency awards to journalists in Asia for exceptional coverage done in dangerous or difficult conditions.
The competition, open to locally hired text, photo and video journalists — either freelance or those working for media companies in the region — carries a cash prize of 3,000 euros ($4,170).
Applications will be accepted until April 18. The winner will be announced in May and invited to an award ceremony in Asia.
The prize is named after Kate Webb, one of the finest correspondents to have worked for AFP, who died in 2007 at the age of 64.
She earned a reputation as a fearless reporter while covering wars and other historic events in Asia during a career spanning four decades.
"Journalists are facing increasing challenges in pursuit of their work. Attacks on freedom of the press are growing and journalists are regularly targeted in conflict situations," said AFP's Asia-Pacific director Gilles Campion.
"Coverage of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines exposed the physical and psychological challenges the media face in reporting natural disasters to the world," he said.
The Kate Webb Prize recognizes Asian journalists who work on the frontlines in tough conditions across the region.
"'With their in-depth knowledge, local reporters play a crucial role in covering Asia both for domestic and international media, and often at great personal risk," Campion said.
Born in New Zealand, Webb first made her name as a young woman covering the Vietnam war. She also worked in Afghanistan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and the Middle East.
She was known for her kindness and compassion and became a mentor to younger Asian journalists.
The prize is administered by the AFP Foundation — a non-profit organization set up to promote press freedom through training journalists in developing countries — and by the Webb family.
It was first awarded in 2008, to Pakistani reporter Mushtaq Yusufzai for his coverage of the dangerous tribal lands bordering Afghanistan.
In 2009 it recognized the work of the Philippines Centre for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and in 2011 was awarded to Dilnaz Boga, an Indian reporter and photographer, for her courageous investigative work in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Last year's recipient was Indonesian investigative journalist Stefanus Teguh Edi Pramono for his coverage of the conflict in Syria and his undercover investigation into Jakarta's dangerous and murky drug world.
This year's prize is open to local reporters, photographers and broadcast journalists in Asia, including camera crew, for work done between January 1 and December 31, 2013. Stringers and freelance journalists are welcome to submit entries.
Articles and broadcast material may be submitted in English or any Asian national language, provided that there is an accurate English translation.
Details of the prize are available on the Kate Webb Prize Facebook page. Applications should be sent to [email protected]. The deadline is 1600GMT on April 18. - AFP
February 07, 2025: PTV pensioners staged nationwide protests demanding their unpaid pensions, medical benefits, and dues for nearly 400 retirees. Protesters, supported by PFUJ, criticized PTV management for corruption and lavish expenses while neglecting retirees' rights.
February 06, 2025: PFUJ has challenged the controversial PECA Act 2025 in the Islamabad High Court, citing it as an attack on press freedom. Journalists and rights organizations protest the law’s implications for free speech and media independence in Pakistan.
February 06, 2025: Pakistani women journalists like Munizae Jahangir and Asma Shirazi face severe threats, harassment, and online abuse. This article explores the struggles of women in media, the systemic challenges, and potential solutions to ensure press freedom and journalist safety.
January 29, 2025: As the White House welcomes podcasters and digital journalists, Pakistan tightens censorship through PECA amendments, silencing independent voices and forcing journalists into exile. A stark contrast in press freedom emerges.
January 29, 2025: Pakistan’s latest PECA amendments expand government control over social media, criminalize misinformation, and threaten freedom of expression. Media stakeholders and human rights groups condemn the draconian changes. Learn more about the implications for journalists and activists.
January 28, 2025: The Forum for Digital Rights and Democracy has raised concerns over the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, highlighting its risks to free speech, democratic values, and digital rights in Pakistan.
January 28, 2025: The Pakistan Senate's passage of the PECA Amendments Bill has sparked national and international outrage, marking a dark chapter for media freedom and free speech in the country.
January 23, 2025: CPJ exposes Pakistan's dangerous deportation of Afghan journalists fleeing Taliban persecution, highlighting critical human rights violations and press freedom challenges. #JournalistSafety
February 05, 2025 The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the Indian government to stop targeting independent journalism after revoking the nonprofit and tax-exempt statuses of The Reporters’ Collective and The File. Learn how this impacts investigative reporting and media freedom in India.
February 04, 2025 Ukraine’s security service (SBU) has opened a criminal case for disclosure of state secrets following Ukrainska Pravda’s report on statements by military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. CPJ urges authorities to respect press freedom and journalist protections.
February 03, 2025 Cambodian journalists Duong Akhara and Lay Socheat have been detained on incitement charges after publishing a video allegedly showing torture in a cyberscam center. Press freedom advocates call for their immediate release.
February 03, 2025 Explore the rich history and philosophical significance of the Olympic Games, from their ancient Greek origins to their modern revival. Discover how the ideals of excellence, unity, and human resilience continue to inspire the world through the Olympic spirit.
February 02, 2025 Journalist Alejandro Gallegos Leon was found dead in Tabasco, Mexico after being reported missing. CPJ urges authorities to swiftly investigate and address the ongoing violence against journalists.