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..Press
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UNESCAP News Services
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Date 11
October 2004
Press Release No: N/26/2004
International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction,
13 October 2004
JOURNALISTS TO BE AWARDED PRIZE FOR
OUTSTANDING REPORTING ON EMERGENCIES, DISASTERS
Bangkok (United Nations Information Services)
-- The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Asian Disaster Preparedness
Centre (ADPC) will jointly inaugurate the Annual Journalism
Award for Outstanding Reporting on Emergencies and Disasters
on Wednesday13 October 2004-International Day for Natural Disaster
Reduction. 2004.
The award is to recognize outstanding reporting in the mass
media on Disaster Reduction in Asia and the Pacific, with a
view to promoting increased awareness of these issues in the
mainstream press. This year the focus country will be Thailand.
The three awardees are: Jor Sor 100 Radio Station;
Ms. Onnucha Hutasingha of the Bangkok Post; and Ms Onuma Kasetpheutphol
of the Ruam Duay Chuay Gan Radio Station.
Further Certificates of Recognition are given
to: Channel 11; Kom Chad Leuk; and the Public Relations Office
of Tak Province.
Three winners will be presented the award
on the day of the IDNDR Commemoration to be held at Room "A"
UNCC, Bangkok on 13 October 2004. The awards will be presented
by H.E. Bhokin Bhalakula, Minister of the Interior, Royal Thai
Government, Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP and
Dr. Suvit Yodmani, Executive Director, Asian Disaster Preparedness
Centre (ADPC).
"The media in Thailand have been active
in reporting disaster events through print, radio and television.
Yet there is a need for more involvement in not just post-disaster
reporting but also pre-disaster reporting such as prevention
and mitigation measures, preparedness of the community to cope
and deal with these disasters, early warning to the public of
any impending disaster events," said a UN spokesperson.
The Award will be in three categories: Print,
Radio and Television. Further three certificates of recognition
will be presented within the same categories.
Every year, in recognition of the annual tragic
loss of lives and severe socio-economic impacts caused by natural
disasters, the United Nations commemorates the International
Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on the second Wednesday of
October. This year's theme focuses: "Learning to live with
risk".
Note to Editors: You or your representatives are invited
to attend the observance of the International Day for Natural
Disaster Reduction on Wednesday, 13 October at 0930 hours at
the UN Conference Centre (Conference Room A), Bangkok.
For further information please contact:
UN Information Services Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1861-69, Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org
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