NEW DELHI August 11 (MIC): The Press Council of India which has been mandated by an Act of Parliament to improve standards of journalism and maintain Press freedom invites entries for national awards for Excellence in Journalism by 30th September, 2015 from Newspapers/News Agencies/Freelancers to recognize outstanding contribution of journalists/photo-journalists of Indian nationality in print journalism.
To encourage media to pursue their duties, the Press Council of India, will honour the awardees on the occasion of National Press Day on November 16, 2015.
The main Award `Raja Ram Mohan Roy National Award for Excellence in Journalism`™ in honour of one of the greatest reformer journalists of the country, carries a cash award of Rupees One Lakh, and a plaque/citation.
The remaining four awards in the fields of a) Rural Journalism and Developmental Reporting, b). Investigative Journalism c). Photo Journalism ( (i) Single News Picture and (ii) Photo Feature) and d). Best Newspapers Art: covering cartoons, caricatures and illustrations carry cash award Rupees fifty thousand each and a plaque/citation.
The nomination of a journalist employed with a newspaper is to be made by the editor of the newspaper/news agency, who shall declare that the journalist being nominated has been in regular employment of the newspaper/news agency during the preceding calendar year.
He/she should have contributed at least 10-15 bylined reports /photographs in the given year 2014 which should be attached to the entry form. Entries should highlight one specific report/photograph that the nominee desires to be considered for citation.
The nomination must be counter signed by the nominated journalist. Freelancers nominating themselves must also file a self attested declaration with the above documents.
Language Paper articles should be translated in English /Hindi. All photo entries must include a caption either in English or Hindi translation thereof. Each entry must also document journalist`™s/photo-journalist`™s professional status. The Award for `Best Newspapers Art` covering cartoons, caricatures and illustration, relates to the creativity of the art journalist through the medium of newspapers.
Names of Selected Candidates will be announced by last week of October, 2015. Selected candidates will be awarded on National Press Day i.e. 16 November, 2015.
A jury comprising of members of the Council including a Presiding Officer along with three non-members from the fields of journalism will finalise the names of the winners. The Council shall have the right to reproduce the Award winning articles in its publication of the National Press Day.
Other details of Eligibility, Criteria, Entry Form, Declaration Forms and Rules can be seen and downloaded from the Press Council of India`™s website http://presscouncil.nic.in or obtained from the Press Council Secretariat (Deputy Secretary, R. No. 147, Soochna Bhawan, 8-C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110 003).
All entries addressed to the Secretary, Press Council of India, Soochna Bhawan, 8-C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi- 110 003 in sealed envelope marked `CONFIDENTIAL` should be sent so as to reach her on or before 5 p.m. on 30th September, 2015. Advance soft copies can be e-mailed at secy-pci@nic.in.