FC: Internet Freedom's 1999 journalism awards

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

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There were many good submissions; congratulations to the winners.

-Declan

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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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