NEW YORK – An award is to be set up in memory of a Spanish journalist who was shot dead while working in Haiti in March, it was announced Wednesday.

The United Nations Correspondents Association and Spain’s Atena 3 television announced the creation of an annual award in honour of Ricardo Ortega.

Ortega, an active member of UNCA, was gunned down on 7 March while covering a demonstration in Haiti, shortly after the controversial flight into exile of President Jean Bertrand Aristide.

The Spanish journalist died from two bullet wounds just days after arriving in the Caribbean country to follow the deployment of a multinational peacekeeping force sent by the UN Security Council.

The UNCA said the award, which includes a cash prize of  USD 10,000, will be to reward the work of radio and television journalists for coverage of the United Nations or of UN-backed operations around the world.

Journalists who demonstrate the qualities of honesty, independence and determination  that Ricardo Ortega showed in his work as a correspondent for Antena 3 will be in line for the award.

This year, candidates may include those who have demonstrated excellence in radio and television in news coverage aired between 1 August 2003 and 1 August 2004.

The award will be presented during a broader UNCA awards ceremony on 26 October at which UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will be the guest of honour.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news