Awards Highlight Human Rights Reporting

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is sponsoring a new award to recognize reporting on human rights topics and to advance human rights as a subject for reporting.

Three awards will be presented Dec. 10 -- Human Rights Day -- in print, broadcast and student categories.

"The awards highlight the importance of communicating human rights to the public through the mass media," said Lori MacLean, chair of the panel that will be judging the submissions. "At the same time, they're aimed at encouraging and recognizing excellence in journalism."

Submissions should be received at the commission no later than Nov. 16. The work may be in English or French and must have been published or broadcast in the Nova Scotia media between Oct. 31, 1997, and Oct. 31, 1998. A submission must focus on at least one of the protected characteristics in the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act, and the challenges faced by people because of: race/colour, religion/creed, ethnic/national origin, association, sex (gender or pregnancy), physical or mental disability, age, source of income, aboriginal origin, sexual orientation, sexual harassment, political affiliation, marital status, family status, or irrational fear (illness or disease).

Submissions may be made by reporters, news editors or directors, a member of the judging panel or the public. A person submitting or nominating a piece is encouraged to write a letter, no longer than two pages, explaining:\

• when and where the piece was published/broadcast\
• why the journalist decided to report on the topic or why
  the submission had an impact on the person nominating it\
• any other significant details in the production of the
  piece\
• the reporter's background, if known (one paragraph)

An 11-member panel will decide the winners; it reserves the right not to make an award in a category. Members of the panel all have backgrounds in journalism or human rights.

Part of the mandate of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is to promote awareness of human rights in the community.

NOTE TO EDITORS/DIRECTORS: Criteria for the awards will follow. Please post for the information of newsroom staff.