Journalism prize funds go to free press projects in Kosovo

ST. PETERSBURG, 6 July 1999 - On 6 July 1999, the opening day of the Eighth Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in St. Petersburg, President Helle Degn of the Assembly announced that at the initiative of Ms. Christiane Amanpour, winner of the 1999 OSCE Prize for Journalism and Democracy, the funds associated with the prize - $20.000 - will be given to projects aiding the development of free and professional media in Kosovo. These projects will be designated in close consultation with the future OSCE Mission in Kosovo and other proper OSCE Institutions, such as the Representative on the Freedom of the Media, Mr. Freimut Duve.

The Prize is awarded annually by the Assembly to Journalists who, through their work, have promoted OSCE principles on human rights and democracy. In 1996, the Prize was awarded to the Polish Journalist Adam Michnik, in 1997 to the organization "Reporters sans frontières", and last year to British writer and journalist Timothy Garton Ash. Christiane Amanpour was awarded her prize in April 1999.

International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour earned her reputation as a world-class correspondent beginning with her coverage of the dramatic changes which occurred in the OSCE region during 1989 and 90. She closely followed and reported on the break-up of the former Soviet Union and the subsequent crisis in Georgia. Having spent years on one of the most dangerous assignments journalists have faced in recent history, Ms. Amanpour brought the Bosnian tragedy into context by her courageous and straightforward reporting. She brought the world face to face with the death, destruction and incredible human suffering brought on by policies of ethnic cleansing. Presently Ms. Amanpour is reporting on the aftermath of the military intervention in Kosovo and the return of refugees. Her bravery, professionalism and the sensitivity of her reporting stand as a model for free, independent journalism in the OSCE region.

The Annual Prize for Journalism and Democracy has been made possible by the dedicated and generous assistance of the following donors: Bertelsmann AG of Germany, Bonnier Group of Sweden, Den Berlingske Fond of Denmark, Schibsted ASA of Norway, and Southern Inc. and Hollinger Inc. of Canada.