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Press Release - May 3, 2002
World Press Freedom Day
Media Fights For Human Rights
Children's human rights issues dominated the winning entries in the Fijian Human Rights Commission Media Awards, which were announced today, just as they currently dominate public concern.
Fijian Human Rights Commission Director Dr Shaista Shameem said that media coverage of tragic cases of incest, child abuse and youth suicide is leading to increasing awareness of the need for the rights of children to be protected.
"Children are our future and the media has a crucial role to play in the promotion of the idea that human rights, equality, justice, peace and economic and social progress for children are essential to the advancement of humanity".
"Both the winning entries in the TV category and the winner of the Most Promising category highlight terrible violations of children's rights and, by doing so, provide valuable contributions to the struggle for the protection of children."
Dr Shameem said that the winning entries in the Print and Radio categories of the Awards also tackled important and topical human rights issues which have long needed to be publicly addressed.
The winners of the Fijian Human Rights Commission Media Awards were:
Winner of the Most Promising category:
· Viti Brown for an FBC radio story on incest and child abuse
Winner of the Print category:
· John Kamea for a Fiji Sun story - "To Kill Or Not To Kill"
- on George Speight and the death penalty.
Winner of the Radio category:
· Seru Waqanikalou for a Viti FM story on disability issues.
Dual winners of the TV category:
· Imraz Iqbal for a Fiji TV News story on incest.
· Riyaz Sayed Khaiyum for a Close Up programme on youth suicide.
Dr Shameem said that the Awards are intended to recognise the efforts of journalists and media personnel in helping the people of Fiji become aware of human rights issues in the country.
"One of the Commission's goals is to help build a just society in which everyone is aware of, and can realise their rights under international and domestic human rights law; we believe that the media also has an important part to play in this aim".
"We want to ensure that courageous and responsible journalists who strive to draw public attention to human rights issues in Fiji are recognised for their work are recognised and commended for their work".
The Fijian Human Rights Awards will be presented annually on World Press Freedom Day (3 May).