Special Award for Development Media 2008 - details on short listed entries

Read background on the Special Award here


IWPR (Institute for War & Peace Reporting) Journalism Training and Reporting Project in Helmand Province (Southern Afghanistan)

Under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, journalist trained by the project team have developed new skills of objective and incisive reporting, and are contributing to the formation of an informed public debate on the issues which will decide the fate of their region, and by extension Afghanistan itself.

Al Mirbad Radio, Iraq

Based in Basra, Al Mirbad’s aim is to provide locally-relevant programming with an emphasis on reliable news and information, holding officials to account, and providing a forum for public debate and discussion. Since its launch in 2005 it has become one of the most popular radio stations in the South of Iraq, with a credible reputation as an independent broadcaster.

Urunana Development Communication: “Urunana” radio soap opera

Popular health education radio soap opera broadcast across Rwanda and the whole Kinyarwanda/Kirundi-speaking area of the African Great Lakes Region. With an audience of over 10 million, the programme has done much to promote sexual health among Rwandans, and has also restored faith in the medium of radio after the events of the genocide in 1994.

AURA (Artistes Unis pour le Rap Africain)

AURA is a network of West African rap artists who have united together to put their musical talents to the service of African development. They use music as a media platform from which to raise awareness and to encourage the engagement of West Africa’s marginalized youth. AURA is inspired by the vision of a unified Africa in which African youths are able to realize their potential, free from violence and exploitation.

Democratic Voice of Burma

To remedy the absence of free media in Burma, Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) was set up in Oslo, Norway and has been broadcasting towards Burma since July 1992. It has done outstanding work in providing a free flow of information to the people of Burma during the period of unrest in September 2007.

CAMFED: Rural Women Filmmakers Lead Social Change in Africa

Two groups of rural women from Ghana and Zambia, marginalized by poverty, educational exclusion and in some cases disability, have received training in filmmaking and advocacy. These 46 women, equipped with cameras and sound equipment, have shown what can be achieved through the power of filmmaking.