Insurance Media Award launched

The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) and New Zealand Journalists Training Organisation (NZJTO) have joined forces to launch an annual media award aimed at promoting a better understanding of general insurance.

The aim of the $5000 award programme is to recognise excellence in coverage of insurance issues as part of an effort to improve insurance-related financial literacy and understanding of the role insurance plays in protecting individuals and businesses.

Chief Executive of the Insurance Council Tim Grafton says the general insurance industry plays a critical function in safeguarding New Zealand by protecting over $0.5 trillion of New Zealanders’ assets.

“The media play an important role in helping shape public understanding of insurance products and services, as well as the industry’s contribution to the economy and society as a whole,” he says. “This award will recognise journalists who have demonstrated excellence in their coverage of often very complex insurance issues.”

“We’re delighted to be partnering with the NZJTO in offering this award and welcome the Young Enterprise Trust (YET) for their expertise in financial literacy as part of the judging panel,” says Grafton.

Mike Fletcher, Executive Director of the NZJTO, welcomes the decision to set up the award.

“The award will encourage journalists to write about an industry that is such an important part of everyday life,” he says.

Chief Executive of the Young Enterprise Trust Terry Shubkin says financial literacy is a critical life skill for all New Zealanders.

“Part of being financially literate is being informed on key topics and the media plays a key role in educating the general public,” she says.

“It is important that financial literacy topics such as insurance are covered by the media and therefore we are delighted to support the Excellence in Insurance Journalism Award,” says Shubkin.

The award is open to all journalists who have published or broadcast stories on insurance-related topics between 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014, including student journalists, commentators and educators.

The inaugural award will offer two cash prizes, $4000 for the overall winner and a highly commended prize of $1000.

The closing date for nominations and entries is 30 April 2014 with the winner being announced in July 2014.

ENDS

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