United Nations Correspondents Association
The United Nations Correspondents Association was founded in New York City in 1947. It was the successor organisation to the League of Nations Journalists’ Association. It has 180 members from approximately 50 nations. It is well-known for presenting the annual UNCA Excellence in Journalism Awards, begun in 1995. The purpose of the awards "is to recognize and encourage excellence in reporting on the United Nations, its affiliated agencies, organizations and missions."[1] Since 2003 it has presented an annual Citizen of the World award.
Excellence in Journalism Awards
The UNCA Excellence in Journalism Awards are presented by the United Nations Correspondents Association. They include:
- The Elizabeth Neuffer Memorial Prize was established in memory of a journalist for The Boston Globe, who was killed while reporting the war in Iraq in 2003. The $10,000 prize, co-sponsored by The Boston Globe, recognizes exceptional reporting on the UN in print media.
- The Ricardo Ortega Memorial Prize was established in honour of a Spanish reporter, who was killed while covering events in Haiti in 2004. The $10,000 prize, co-sponsored by Spanish television station Antena 3, recognizes reporting in broadcast media.
- The United Nations Foundation Prize honours reporting on humanitarian and development issues. The prize, sponsored by the UN Foundation, is worth $10,000.
- The Ranan Lurie Political Cartoon Awards were created in 2000 to recognize cartoons that “enhance, explain and help direct the spirit and principles of the UN.” The Awards, named for UNCA member Ranan Lurie, are worth a total of $18,000.
Controversy
The awards have generated some controversy in the past, with accusations of political bias in relation to the 2005 nominees for Citizen of the World.
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