UNAA Victoria executive director Patricia Collett says the awards highlight media efforts to promote tolerance and diversity and the peaceful resolution of conflict through balanced reporting of issues both nationally and internationally.

“The awards were initiated as a national program in 1978 and seek to promote understanding and awareness about humanitarian and social justice issues and to present a balanced report which acknowledges diversity and stimulates public debate,” says Collett.

The awards will be presented in four major categories – television, radio, print and photojournalism, within the categories of aboriginal reconciliation, multicultural issues, women’s rights and issues, children’s rights and issues, and positive images of the older person.

Past winners include Paul McGeough from the Sydney Morning Herald, Michael Gordon from The Age, and Natalie O’Brien from The Australian.

It is open to material that has appeared in the Australian public media between September 1 2004 and September 1 2005. Nominations close Friday September 9 and winners will be announced at an awards dinner held on Friday October 21, in support of United Nations Day.

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