Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) has opened the 2018 call for nominations for its annual Achievement In Human Rights Reporting Award.
The Toronto-based non-profit is accepting nominations from around the world this year from journalists who have made a significant contribution to human rights journalism.
“JHR defines human rights journalism as coverage that directs attention to key human rights issues, in a way that triggers significant positive impact,” says JHR executive director Rachel Pulfer. “JHR believes it is crucial for such courageous, life-changing work to be recognized and celebrated on an annual basis.”
In past years, CNN’s Christiane Amanpour and Paul Barnsley of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) have been recognized for their lifetime of work dedicated to human rights coverage.
Last year, the award went to the Toronto Star’s Sara Mojtehedzadeh for her reportage on workers’ rights in Ontario, which led to legislative changes and stronger oversight of laws governing the rights of temporary workers.
The individual or team nominated must have played a key role ensuring that human rights are at the front and centre of coverage; through that coverage, those who have historically been left out of important public conversations about issues that affect them are able to make their voices heard; and positive change has happened as a result of that work.
Nominations are due Sept. 10. Find the form here.
This year’s winner will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to participate as a mentor on a trip to an existing JHR project of their choice.
JHR currently has projects underway in the South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, South Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, in addition to its Indigenous Reporters Program in Northern Ontario.
