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PRESS RELEASE - INTERNATIONAL

28 October 2003

Kenyan investigative journalist awarded 2003 Natali Prize Gold Medal

SOURCE: International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels

(IFJ/IFEX) - The following is a 24 October 2003 IFJ media release:

Africa Retains Gold Medal at World Journalism Awards

Ken Opala from Kenya, an investigative journalist who reported on the inhumane
and "horrid lives" of death row convicts, has scooped the gold medal in the 2003
Natali Prize - one of the world's leading awards for journalists. Ken Opala is
also the winner of the regional prize for Africa.

He and other top-class journalists from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East
and Latin America were honoured by the International Federation of Journalists
and the European Commission at a special prize giving ceremony held at the
International Press Centre Résidence Palace, in Brussels on 24 October 2003.

Each winner of the Natali Prize, which recognizes excellence in reporting on
human rights, democracy and development, receives 10 000 Euro and a trophy.
"Each of the winners have contributed something special to the journalistic
community through their work, very often under extremely dangerous conditions,"
said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary.

The Natali Prize, which is awarded to print and/or on-line journalists who have
demonstrated a striking insight and particular dedication to the reporting of
human rights issues within the context of development, was established in 1992
to promote quality journalism and to commemorate the dedication of former
Vice-President of the European Commission, Lorenzo Natali. Since 1999 the prize
has been administered by the IFJ, the world's largest organisation of
journalists, which represents 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.

The Prizes were presented by Neil Kinnock, Vice-President of the European
Commission. "This prize recognizes and rewards excellence in human rights
reporting, demonstrating the quality of journalists and the significance of what
they write," said Kinnock.

The 2003 Natali Gold Medal Winner:

Ken OPALA (Kenya) for a series of articles on the death penalty, all published
in Daily Nation

In the regional category of Africa the 2003 Natali Prize goes to:
Ken Opala (Kenya)

Commendations:

Jessica BEZUIDENHOUT & Mzilikazi WA AFRIKA (South Africa), for their
investigation into South Africa's first forestry privatisation deals, published
in The Sunday Times

Dorothy OTIENO (Kenya), for a series of articles on female genital mutilation,
all published in East African Standard

In the regional category of The Arab World, Iran and Israel the 2003 Natali
Prize goes to:

Walid BATRAWI (Palestine), for his article "Media-less Reforms vs. Reform-less
Media", published on-line at Arab Media Internet Network and in Al-Ayyam Daily

Commendations:

Jennifer PETERSON (Palestine), for her article "Strangling Qalqilya", published
in Palestine Report

Atef SAAD (Palestine), for his article "Teachers Rescue Classes, Despite
Checkpoints", published in Palestine Report

In the regional category of Asia and the Pacific the 2003 Natali Prize goes to:

Massoud ANSARI (Pakistan), for his article "The Great Repatriation Scam",
published in Newsline

Commendations:

Sergei DUVANOV (Kazakhstan), for his articles "I Do Not Believe", "Silence of
the Lambs" and "Billion - The Account, But Not That", published in SolDat and
on-line at Eurasia and KUB

Muzamil JALEEL (India), for his series on the human costs of the Kashmir
conflict, published in The Indian Express, The Observer, The Telegraph and The
Guardian

In the regional category of Europe the 2003 Natali Prize goes to:

Sofia BRANCO (Portugal), for her investigation on the possible practice of
female genital mutilation within the Guinea community in Portugal, published in
Público

Commendations:

Rolf BAUERDICK (Germany), for his report "Von wie wenig kann man leben? -
Müllmenschen in Oradea/Rumänien", published in Brigitte-Magazin

Sandra CAMPS OCAÑA (Spain), for her report "Retrato de las ONG", published in El
País Semanal

In the regional category of Latin America and the Caribbean the 2003 Natali
Prize goes to:

José F. HOYOS ESTRADA (Colombia), for his report "¿Qué puedo hacer por
Colombia?", published in Semana

Commendations:

Daniela ARBEX (Brazil), for her series "Cova 312" on the discovery of the grave
of Milton Soares de Castro - a militant politician who disappeared 35 years ago
under the Brazilian dictatorship - published in Tribuna de Minas

Klester CAVALCANTI (Brazil), for his article "Viúvas da terra", published in
Revista Terra

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries.

For further information, contact the IFJ, International Press Centre, Residence
Palace, Block C, 155 Rue de la Loi, B-1040 Brussels, Belgium, tel: +322 235 2200
or +322 235 22 01, fax: +322 235 22 19, e-mail: [email protected], Internet:
http://www.ifj.org/

The information contained in this press release is the sole responsibility of
IFJ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit IFJ.
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