Press statement

25 January 2007

Wanted: critical journalism

New Zealand's only award for critical journalism is on offer again.

The Bruce Jesson Foundation, set up after the death of journalist-politician Bruce Jesson in 1999, will provide up to $3000 for “critical, informed, analytical and creative journalism or writing which will contribute to public debate in New Zealand on an important issue or issues”.

Applications for the 2007 award close on 31 March.

The award covers living costs and direct costs such as phone calls and travel to enable New Zealanders to investigate and report on issues in depth.

It is available for articles, reports, pamphlets, books, radio or television programmes, films, websites or any other publications which are aimed at, and accessible by, the general public of New Zealand or any part of New Zealand. Details are available at www.brucejesson.com

This is the fourth time the foundation has offered the award. Previous winners have been:

* 2004: Wellington researcher Tina McIvor for an investigation into Work and Income’s treatment of beneficiaries judged to be living in marriage-type relationships; and writer Nicky Hager for a planned book on New Zealand foreign policy.

* 2005: Freelance journalist Jon Stephenson for a two-part report from Iraq which appeared in Metro magazine and won France's prestigious Prix Bayeux-Calvados.

* 2006: Wellington-based freelancer Amie Richardson for a series of investigative articles on rest homes. The first fruit of that research –an article about the closure of the Kimberley Centre for intellectually disabled people near Levin – appeared in the Listener late last year and more are due soon.

ENDS

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