Journalists and editors from the Arab world, Israel and the UK, were
given special prizes for producing consistently balanced reporting on
the Arab/Israeli conflict.
The awards, launched by the
International Media Council – a body set up by Next Century Foundation,
a non-governmental orgainsation working in support of peace initiatives
in the Middle East – are to promote the vital role the media can play
in contributing to understanding.
The Next Century Foundation intends to make this an annual event.
William
Morris, secretary general of the NCF, explained: “By publicly
recognising the efforts of these editors and journalists, some of whom
have put their careers and even their lives at risk through their
commitment to reporting truthfully and responsibly, we hope to help
raise the standards of journalism in reporting on the Arab/Israeli
conflict.”
The recipients of the awards were: Abdul Rahman al
Rashed, head of Al Arabia Satellite News TV, Dubai, and former
editor-in-chief of Al Sharq al Awsat newspaper, was recognised for his
efforts to maintain high standards of professional integrity in
countering The NCTJ has made two new key appointments.
John
Dilley, who has 20 years newspaper and magazine editorial experience
and is currently involved in university and commercial training, will
spearhead changes in both the preliminary and final exams.
Over the summer Dilley will consult with editors, trainees, students, colleges, universities and commercial providers.
Lyn
Jones, a training and development professional, has been brought on
board to drive forward government recognition of the NCTJ by the
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).
Chief executive
Joanne Butcher said: “The NCTJ is widely recognised and respected as
the benchmark for training and qualifications in the industry but we
must move forward and respond to editors’ needs. The expertise that
John and Lyn bring will help us make our ambitious plans a reality.”
Changes
under consideration include amalgamating the two preliminary journalism
exams taken by students and adding a portfolio element to the
assessment.
Plans are underway to modernise the speech exam in
the final qualifying NCE and make some of the logbook portfolio key
tasks more practical.
incitement and disinformation.
Ari
Rath, former editor and managing director of the Jerusalem Post and
currently news editor of Partners for Peace (the voice of the
Copenhagen Group), was acknowledged for a lifetime of achievement and
tireless work for rapprochement and peace.
Richard Beeston,
diplomatic editor of The Times, was celebrated for his high standards
of reporting and the quality of his news analysis, which promotes
understanding.
Each was presented with an olive tree at the award ceremony, held in the House of Lords.
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