The Journalist Award

Now in its sixth year, the Award honours online or print journalists in the EU who, through their work, contribute to a better public understanding of the benefits of diversity and the fight against discrimination.

The competition is open to journalists who write on issues of discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, disability and sexual orientation. All entries must have been published in a print or online media outlet which has its main editorial office in one of the 27 EU Member States.

In anticipation of the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, this year’s competition includes a special award for articles on how discrimination based on the grounds mentioned above can lead to poverty. Journalists are also invited to submit entries in this special category which explore how poverty can lead to discrimination.

The ‘For Diversity. Against Discrimination.’ campaign

The Journalist Award is a key activity of the ‘For Diversity. Against Discrimination.’ information campaign run by the European Commission, Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.

The campaign works in all 27 EU Member States to raise awareness of discrimination, and the legislation which exists to combat it, as well as to promote the benefits of diversity.

It takes action to fight discrimination based on a person’s racial or ethnic origin in all areas of life (which is outlawed under the Racial Equality Directive, 2000) and on religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation in the workplace (which is illegal thanks to the Employment Equality Directive, 2000).

The campaign is funded through PROGRESS, the EU’s employment and social solidarity programme.