Press releases

MINSK, 20 March (BelTA) – A journalism contest for the excellence in reporting on disability will be held in Belarus from 20 March to 15 November. The relevant document was signed by Belarus’ Information Minister Alexander Karlyukevich and UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus Sanaka Samarasinha in Minsk on 20 March, BelTA has learned.

The contest aims to create high-quality journalistic materials related to the equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities, inclusion, various aspects of their life in modern society.

The contest is open to journalists of print and electronic media, journalists, freelancers, bloggers, photographers and videographers. A contestant shall send the application and materials in the Russian or Belarusian language published in print or broadcast in 2018, photos and videos posted on the web in 2018.

A professional jury will select the best entries in three categories: Best Journalistic Story, Best Photo Story, Best Video Story. The main evaluation criteria: completeness in terms of topic-coverage, the original methods of presenting the material, complying with the principles of the information strategy for the inclusion of people with disabilities in society. Winners will be announced on 1 December. They will receive professional equipment and diplomas from the Information Ministry and the United Nations.

According to Alexander Karlyukevich, this contest is just one of the projects as part of the information strategy on the full inclusion of people with disabilities adopted in 2017. The strategy was developed within the framework of the national plan of action to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The information strategy was developed with the support of the Information Ministry of Belarus and UN Development Program with the participation of state, international and public organizations.