Best News Story on Air Quality Management in Asia

Better awareness on the impacts of air pollution and the need for better air quality management is critical to improve air quality in Asia. In recognition of this importance the CAI-Asia Partnership has agreed to set up an award which recognizes the best news stories on air quality management in Asia.

The competition is open to all journalists (whether full time or part time), both from within and outside Asia. The submissions can consist of any published print or online article on the topics related to urban air pollution in Asia, published in the period 1 January 2007 – 30 August 2008.  Applications can be submitted by the authors or by others. The CAI-Asia Center through its ongoing review of news stories may nominate candidates.

The focus of the stories needs to be about air quality in Asia. Stories need to be submitted in the English language; however stories originally written in a language other than English can qualify provided that their submission is accompanied by a translation in English.

Two awards will be handed out: one award to a representative from an international news organization and one award to a representative from a local (city)/national news organization or other organization with a media outreach based in Asia.

The CAI-Asia Center will have the right, while acknowledging the author(s) and source, to make use of the stories submitted, or part thereof in its efforts to raise awareness on air quality management in Asia. (In case the article was nominated by a third party CAI-Asia will seek the approval of the author before the article is used).

Criteria to be applied in judging the news stories are:
 

• Factual correctness
• Analytical rigor
• Intellectual curiosity
• Writing style
• Persuasiveness

The time line for the 2008 Best News Story award is:
 

• 4 July 2008 – formal announcement of 2008 Best News Story on air quality management in Asia award;
• 15 September 2008 – deadline for submission of applications;
• 30 September 2008- extended deadline for submission of applications
• 15 October 2008 – announcement of winners; and
• 14 November 2008 – awarding ceremony

The awards committee will consist of:
 

• Graham Dwyer, Officer-in-Charge, Web Operations ,ADB Department of External Services
• Cornie Huizenga, Executive Director, CAI-Asia Center
• Satwant Kaur, Regional Information Officer, UNEP Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific

The awards will be handed out as part of the 14 November 2008 closing session of the Better Air Quality (BAQ) 2008 workshop in Bangkok, Thailand (see www.baq2008.org). The possibility of providing financial support for travel to Bangkok and the provision of accommodation can be considered.

Please send your submission making use of the attached application form.