OSCE journalism prize awarded to Christiane Amanpour

COPENHAGEN, 23 April 1999 - The Leadership of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, meeting today in Copenhagen, has awarded the 1999 OSCE Prize for Journalism and Democracy to the international reporter, Christiane Amanpour. The Prize - consisting of USD 20,000 - 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 organisation "Reporters sans frontières", and last year to British writer and journalist Timothy Garton Ash.

CNN Chief 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 1990. 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 state-sponsored ethnic cleansing, and the international community's hesitancy to confront such evil. As we witness the tragedy unfolding in Kosovo, Ms. Amanpour is again on the front lines. Her bravery, professionalism and the sensitivity of her reporting stand as a model for free, independent journalism in the OSCE region.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly established the Prize for Journalism and Democracy in 1996, at the initiative of Mr. Freimut Duve, former member of the German Bundestag and now OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. The purpose of the Prize is to promote the principles of free journalism as laid down by the OSCE Budapest Declaration in 1994.

The Prize will be presented to Christiane Amanpour during the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Annual Session on 6 July 1999 in St. Petersburg. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is composed of 317 Members of Parliament from 54 countries of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

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.

For further information, please contact Mr. Jan Jooren, Counsellor for Press and Public Affairs, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly: Telephone: +45 3332 9400, Fax: +45 3332 5505, or Mobile: +45 2160 6380