THE Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) has been presented with the prestigious Kate Webb award by the Agence France-Presse (AFP) for "its fearless work in the world’s deadliest country for reporters," said the French news agency when it made the decision last December 2009.
"The Kate Webb award is for local reporters or media organizations in the Asia Pacific who have produced exceptional work in dangerous or difficult circumstances, or have demonstrated moral or physical courage while reporting,"says AFP.
Administered by the AFP Foundation, a non-profit, the Kate Webb award aims to elevate the standards of journalism on a global scale. PCIJ is the second organization to receive the annual award.
Kate Webb was one of AFP’s finest correspondents and has earned a reputation for covering the biggest events in the Asia Pacific as a brave and compassionate reporter. Webb died of cancer in 2007 at the age of 64.
The awarding ceremony was held at the Museum Café in Makati on Wednesday, March 24. AFP Asia Pacific Director Eric Wishart, along with Webb’s family, applauded PCIJ’s fearless, in-depth coverage reports -- ranging from different political and environmental issues -- for the past two decades. The event was also attended by representatives of the French embassy.
"The PCIJ has been a beacon of press freedom in the Philippines and deserves to be a source of inspiration for all of us who believe that journalists should shine a light in all the dark corners of our societies, whether it pleases those concerned or not,"said Wishart.
"We are most humbled and fully inspired by this award and the legacy of Ms. Kate Webb. Tonight the editors and staff members and fellows of the PCIJ are truly and fully affirmed. Over the last 20 years of our young organization’s life we might have been doing some good things to have been chosen to receive the prestigious Kate Webb award." said Malou Mangahas, PCIJ Executive Director who received the award.
In her speech, Mangahas paid tribute to the 31 media reporters killed in Maguindanao. "We accept it in honor of over a hundred Filipino journalists, including 32 in Maguindanao, who have been killed for bringing to light the evils of corruption, political dynasties and bad governance. It is very difficult, almost discomfiting, to say our situation as journalists from Metro Manila could even come close to the vulnerability of our colleagues in Maguindanao or in the provinces of the Philippines, so I think a fitting tribute is to accept it in their honor."
The prize money (worth 5,000 euros) will be utilized for safety training programs for Filipino journalists who do investigative reports on the "nearly 200 families that dominate Filipino politics."
"We hope this training program will help promote professional safety, strengthen ethical standards and sharpen investigative reporting skills among Filipino journalists. And, quite possibly, save lives," Eric Wishart said.
The Philippine Center For Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) is an independent, non-profit organization known for it’s in-depth investigative reporting and covers current issues in Philippine society.
( Published March 27, 2010 in Asianjournal Los Angeles p. A6 )
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