huridocs-tech Internet Freedom's 1999 journalism awards

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http://www.netfreedom.org/news.asp?item=104

Internet Freedom Announces Winners of Journalism Awards 1999

              10-Jan-2000 | Internet Freedom, Media Release

             Internet Freedom today announced the winners of its first
             ever Journalism Awards. With nominations from around the
             world there were many worthy candidates.

             The Internet Freedom Journalism Awards were set up to
             highlight journalism about the Net, both good and bad. All too
             often the Net is misrepresented contributing to widespread
             fears of technology and fueling calls for its regulation. Given
             the way that the Net is often portrayed, it is not surprising that
             some view it as a sink of vice and depravity from which
             addiction leaves no escape.

             Journalists have a responsibility to inform the public with
             fairness, objectivity and accuracy. Internet Freedom hopes the
             Awards will inspire more balanced reporting about the Net, and
             journalists will take seriously their obligation to inform.

             The winners of the Internet Freedom Journalism Awards are:
             *Internet Article of shame. For a news report, feature or
             opinion piece distinguished by misrepresentation, bias or
             invention of inflated dangers about the Internet.

              "Cyber-stress panic strikes", Robin McKie, The Observer.

              *Internet Investigation of the Year. For a news story or
              feature revealing attempts to regulate the Net.

              "AOL, others plan global Net content rating system", Courtney
              Macavinta, CNET.

              *The Fair Reporting News Agency of the Year. To a news
              organisation for consistently high standards in writing about
              the Net.

              Salon.

              *Internet Journalist of the Year. To a journalist for
              consistently high standards in writing about the Net.

              Keith Dawson.



              COMMENTS FROM JUDGES

              Mark Newman, judge, said:

              "We've all seen those regular scare stories about online
              hackers and fraudsters - yet in reality the Net is far safer than
              many journalists would have you think. Eye-catching stories
              about the Net may sell magazines and newspapers, but they
              don't educate readers about what's really happening on the
              Net."

              Declan McCullagh, judge said:

              "It's no longer 1995, when reporters didn't have email access
              and newsrooms weren't wired to the Net. Media coverage has
              improved dramatically since then, thanks to hard working
              people like our Journalist of the Year. But there's still an
              alarming amount of room for improvement."

              Jonathan Wallace, judge, said:

              "Although there are more of them than there used to be,
              journalists who really understand the Net are still at a
              premium--and there are too many scare stories out there
              based on a laughable misunderstanding of the technology
              and its consequences. The Internet Freedom Journalism
              Awards reward the best and place a spotlight on the worst."

              Chris Ellison, chair said:

              "The Awards were a close run thing. They also revealed a
              great divide between journalists in their reporting about the
              Internet. On the one hand, there are number of individuals
              and news agencies committed to, and succeeding in, sniffing
              out the best news stories and digging out the facts. On the
              other, too many news organisations seem simply interested in
              sensationalism. Let's hope that the year 2000 will see a rise
              in journalistic standards."

              [...snip...]



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