CNN 5th YJA ; new category to mark 60 years of independence

New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) The CNN today launched the fifth edition of its Young Journalist Award which this year adds two new categories, including the CNN Young Journalist Award to mark 60 years of Independence of India and Pakistan.

The 'CNN Journalist Award', introduced in celebration of the 60th year of Independence of both India and Pakistan, honours journalism that reflects the social and political realities of India and Pakistan, CNN Delhi bureau chief Phillip Turner announced at a press conference here.

Open to all Indian and Pakistani journalists irrespective of age, the award seeks to honour print/online and television journalists covering the broader and deeper issues in Indian or Pakistani society, with a focus on factors of social development.

''While the CNN YJA is an attempt to nurture promising journalistic potential, the CNN Journalist Award salutes the best of insightful Indian and Pakistani journalists and their efforts in voicing often unpopular issues and concerns, issues that require great courage,''Mr Turner said.

Another addition to the category of awards this year is the 'CNN Photojournalist award', which seeks to recognise the rich tradition and contribution that photojournalists have made to this industry in India and Pakistan.

The 2007 awards will continue with the CNN aspiring journalist award and the 'CNN Citizen Journalist Award', introduced last year.

The former is targeted at journalism students while the latter will pay tribute to the 'citizen journalists' whose compelling submissions aid the news gathering process.

Speaking on the occasion, Suhasini Haider of CNN-IBN, which last year introduced the idea of citizen journalist award, said the inclusion of the category in the CNN YJA since last year is an offshoot of the overwhelming response that the citizen journalist initiative, pioneered by the CNN-IBN in India, has evoked.

''Our viewers have become a real resource, pitching in with video, photographs and reports on breaking news stories, bringing out the situation on the ground even before our own correspondents can get there,''she said.

Entries have been invited from different categories like print, online photographic and televison. To be eligible, all entries should be published or aired between January 1, 2007 and September 30, 2007.

Entrants to the CNN AJA, just submit an essay in 1000 words on the topic 'Has the Media broadened its reach only to narrow its focus?' The shortlisted participants in the TV or print category will then be invited to New Delhi to participate in an on-the-spot contest, which will determine winners for the category.

The last date for entries is October 12. Judging of the entries will take place in November by a prestigious panel and winners of the annual award will be announced in a ceremony in December.

UNI