Entries being called for new journalism award

Thursday 15 August 2002

Entries being called for new journalism award

Journalists who have written about or reported on any biosecurity issue in the past year are being invited to enter their work for the inaugural Protect New Zealand Biosecurity Journalism Award.

The award is being run by the New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators with sponsorship from MAF's Biosecurity Authority.

"We recognise that biosecurity issues related to exotic pests and diseases have now reached a point where they have a consistently high profile in the media and where there is a lot of commendable coverage. This award will go some way to recognising this," said MAF Biosecurity director Barry O'Neil.

The Guild's annual awards now number seven, including the Bank of New Zealand Farm Business Award, HortResearch Journalism Award, WoolPro Sheep Technology Award, AgResearch Science Writers Award and the Wrightson Agribusiness Award. The winning entry from each award is considered for the BNZ Rongo Award for excellence in agricultural journalism.

Entrants to the Protect New Zealand Biosecurity Journalism Award can submit a single, feature-length piece of work, or a series of four shorter items. Entries close on Friday 6 September and the $1000 prize will be presented at a function in Wellington on Friday 11 October.

ENDS

© Scoop Media