French Journalist wins EU Health Prize for Journalists
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Consumers launched the EU Health Prize for Journalists in February 2009, as a part of the "Europe for Patients" campaign. The award gave recognition to excellence in journalism that brings awareness to health care issues and patients’ rights.The Prize was awarded in the spirit of respect for media freedom and pluralism and in the context of the Commission’s desire to improve communication between the European Institutions and the European citizens.
468 articles were submitted by 304 journalists from all of the 27 Member States. A finalist from each Member was invited to Brussels for a media seminar on EU health issues and the award ceremony hosted by Commissioner Vassiliou on 29 October 2009. At the award ceremony in Brussels on 29 October 2009, in the presence of health NGOs and health policy-makers, the European Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou, announced the winners or the first EU Health Journalism Prize.
The first-place award for EU Health Prize for Journalists was presented to French Estelle Saget, who wrote the article "Schizophrenia explained to family and friends" , published in the magazine, "L’express". A journalist from Lithuania, Audre Srebaliene, finished in second place with her article "Blood sister" , which was published in "Savaitinis zurnalas." Third place was given to Emilia Chiscop from Romania with "Moving tale of will and courage", published in "Ziarul de lasi". The three articles tackle topics that concern both the individual and society as a whole; they deal with fear and stigmatisation, while providing stories of courage and solutions which empower the reader to take action.
"The prize recognises the crucial role and responsibility of journalists in communicating EU health polices and actions to the citizens of Europe. The initiatives adopted under the Europe for Patients campaign - such as cancer screening, patient safety, organ donation and transplantation, use of antibiotics and cross border healthcare affect us all and reflect the Commission’s priority of putting the citizen first. I hope this prize will stimulate debate at local, national and European level.", said Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner for Health.
Further information:
Click here for the Commission website with the articles
For more information on the prize:
Click here for more information on the prize, including judges and criteria
For more information about the ’Europe for Patients Campaign.’
’Europe for Patients,’ 13-14 October 2008 Paris
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