The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Journalism for Tolerance Prize
Presented to: Sweta Ramanujan from The Indian Express in 2004

Sweta Ramanujan (India) won the prestigious International Federation for Journalists (tolerance) award for "Mill On The Loss" which appeared in The Indian Express on November 30, 2003. Mill On The Loss is an incisive report on the economic basis of communal hatred. This piece explores the socio-economic roots of communal tension in certain areas of Maharashtra.

About the Award:
The IFJ Journalism for Tolerance Prize is about promoting tolerance, combating racism and discrimination and contributing to an understanding of cultural, religious and ethnic differences. The Prize is an annual competition among journalists from all sectors of media having an objective to promote better understanding among journalists of the importance of tolerance and defence of human rights from all communities, particularly reporting on minorities.

The Prize rewards individuals and their work, promoting benchmarks on how to tackle discrimination in all forms - language, religion or belief, or ethnic origin.

The Prize promotes editorial independence, high standards of professionalism and journalist ethics, and media diversity. It targets a number of key regions, where coverage of minority affairs is often fraught with difficulties and tension. Journalism for Tolerance award, which is supported by the European Union, is driven by values of journalism and is organised by journalists themselves.

It is awarded in five regions - Latin America, Central and Western Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa, SouthAsia and South East Asia. In each region, it is awarded for outstanding reporting on actions to combat racism and discrimination.

Each region will have a total pool of Euro 3,000 to award to the winners. Prizes may be awarded for different categories of media including print/online (including photography), radio and television. Winners and finalists will also receive a certificate of recognition. The winners and finalists will be invited to attend a prize giving ceremony and forum in their region in mid 2004.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation that promotes co-ordinated international action to defend press freedom and social justice through the development of strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists. The IFJ mandate covers both professional and industrial interests of journalists. The IFJ administers other prizes including the Lorenzo Natali Prize for Journalism.