Spanish and Ukrainian journalists share Prize for Journalism and Democracy 2001

COPENHAGEN, 20 April 2001 - The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has decided to share the 2001 OSCE Prize for Journalism and Democracy between Spanish journalist José Luis LÓPEZ DE LACALLE and Ukrainian journalist Georgiy GONGADZE. The Prize, consisting of $20,000, is awarded annually by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to journalists who through their work have promoted OSCE principles on human rights, democracy and unimpeded flow of information.

Mr. López de Lacalle was killed in May 2000 by Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) in Northern Spain for his writings against the use of violence for political ends. Mr. Gongadze disappeared on 16 September 2000 after a long distinguished career in investigative journalism, uncovering critical circumstances in a secretive political environment.

In recommending the two journalists for the award, the Chairman of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, Mr. Gert Weisskirchen, MP (Germany) stated: "These were outstanding journalists who tried to further the values of the OSCE by intervening in conflicts and secretive political environments through their writing. By awarding this prize we will be sending a signal against the unfortunate growing international trend of censorship by threats and killings."

The prize will be presented on the opening day of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's 10th Annual Session in Paris, 6-10 July 2001.

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 in the OSCE Budapest Declaration in 1994.

The Prize has previously been awarded to Mr. Adam Michnik in 1996, "Reporters sans frontières" in 1997, Mr. Timothy Garton Ash in 1998, Ms. Christiane Amanpour in 1999 and Mr. Andrei Babitsky in 2000.

The Annual Prize for Journalism and Democracy has been made possible by the dedicated and generous assistance of the following donors: Bertelsmann AG, Germany; Bonnier Group, Sweden; Den Berlingske Fond, Denmark; the George and Thelma Paraskevaides Foundation, Cyprus; Southam Inc., Canada and Shipsted ASA, Norway.

For further information please contact Mr. Jan Jooren, Press Counsellor of the OSCE PA, e-mail press.counsellor@oscepa.dk, tel. +45 33378040, fax. +45 33378030.