Award for best reporting on TB

This year, two awards of Rs 30,000 each will be presented for the best writing on TB by a print journalist in English.

In the run-up to World TB Day 2010 on 24th March, REACH, a Chennai-based non-profit has announced the REACH-Lilly MDR-TB Partnership MediaAwards. These will be awarded to journalists who have produced effective, in-depth and relevant stories on Tuberculosis (TB), and have conveyed these to a wide audience.

This year, two awards of Rs 30,000 each will be presented for the best writing on TB by a print journalist in English. In addition, the best work on TB by a journalism student will be awarded Rs 15,000.

All entries submitted by working journalists must carry a by-line and have been published in a news publication in India between January 2009 and January 2010. Stories must highlight aspects of TB or TB-related complications in a sensitive and accurate manner.

All submissions will be evaluated by an eminent panel of specialists and the awards will be presented in February. The jury includes Dr. L.S. Chauhan, Deputy Director General (TB), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India; Dr. Nevin Wilson, Director, The Union, South East Asia; Dr. P. R. Narayanan, Former Director, Tuberculosis Research Centre; Dr. Jaya Shreedhar, Technical Health Advisor, Internews Network and Dr. Arjun Rajagopal, President, REACH and Medical Director, Sundaram Medical Foundation.

Informed and accurate journalism can have a significant impact on public understanding of tuberculosis, a crucial public health concern in India. India bears one-third of the world?s global TB burden; in addition, there is growing disposition to multidrug resistance, increasing public health costs. All of this is compounded by a general lack of awareness of TB and its consequences ? most of all, that TB is completely curable.

Through this initiative, the REACH-Lilly MDR-TB Partnership Media Project seeks to highlight the vital role played by the media in informing the public and decision-makers about TB prevention and care.

The last date for submission of entries is 31st January. To find out more or to submit applications, please contact REACH at 9791017202, email reach4tb@gmail.com or visit www.media4tb.org