The European Commission has launched on the first September the latest edition of its “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.” Journalist Award. For the fifth successive year, submissions are invited for this European competition which honours journalists from both online and printed media. The award showcases the talents of those media professionals who, through their writing, contribute to a better understanding of the benefits of diversity and the fight against discrimination – on the basis of religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or ethnic origin.

Articles published between 1 January and 31 October 2008 in either print or online media within the EU are eligible for the competition and can be submitted online. At the end of the entry period, national juries will gather in all 27 EU Member States to select winning articles. From these 27 national winners, a jury will then choose the best three articles and the overall European Journalist Award winner. The winners will receive prizes worth up to €4,500.

As in previous years, the European Commission is dedicating a Special Award to one specific theme. This year’s Special Award will focus on articles examining discrimination against the Roma community. In many European countries, the Roma – who collectively form the largest ethnic minority in the enlarged EU – suffer from racial violence, hate speech and discrimination in accessing employment, education, healthcare, and public and social services. According to a recent Eurobarometer, 77% of Europeans are of the opinion that being Roma is a disadvantage in society.

The campaign is funded through Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (Progress), the EU’s employment and social solidarity programme.

Another iniciate is the Lorenzo Natali Prize is other award organised since 1992 by the DG Development and relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific States (DG DEV) of the European Commission.