The awards, sponsored by the Canadian-based organisation, Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), are intended to highlight the most innovative ways for journalists to educate the public about their rights. JHR executive director, Ben Peterson, cites two overarching factors which motivated the creation of the awards: "Firstly, we believe that excellence in human rights reporting should be given more recognition. Secondly, by establishing these awards, we are attempting to provide additional motivation for Ghanaian journalists to focus on human rights stories," he said in a conversation with RAP 21. Although currently only Ghanaian journalists are eligible for the awards, JHR is hoping to create more country-specific and regional awards as JHR itself expands its presence in more countries throughout Africa.

The awards will consist of four separate prizes honouring excellence in news writing, feature writing, radio reporting, and talk-show programs. Each award carries a one million Cedis (about 150 Euro) cash prize, a commemorative plaque, and the possibility that that winning stories will be reproduced in the Ghanaian media.

Since its founding in 2002, JHR has primarily focused its efforts in Ghana, where it is currently running a series of workshops on human rights reporting, helping to create newspaper supplements on human rights issues, and working with local human rights groups to improve their media presence. The human rights organisation has plans to further expand its activities in the Cte d’Ivoire, where programmes were initially delayed due to political violence in the country.

The first awards ceremony will be held in August 2004; JHR will start accepting submissions beginning in August of this year.

For more information, visit http://www.jhr.com