25 Finalists Selected for Developing Asia Journalism Awards and Workshop

TOKYO (15 October 2008) – Twenty-five journalists from 13 developing countries in Asia have been selected by a distinguished panel of judges as finalists for the 2008 Developing Asia Journalism Awards and Workshop, organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Institute.

The countries represented this year among the finalists are the People’s Republic of China, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Thailand, Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.

The event recognizes excellence in journalistic reporting by those covering development trends and issues in the region.

Prizes for 2008 will be awarded for reporting in four strategic areas of development – environment, governance, infrastructure and regional integration.

In addition, there are two special prizes for Development Journalist of the Year and Young Development Journalist of the Year (for entrants under 30).

The finalists have been invited to attend an all expenses paid trip to Tokyo for a four-day program starting on Tuesday 11 November 2008 in which they will take part in a workshop at the ADB Institute. The program culminates in the awards ceremony on Friday evening 14 November 2008 at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan.

The winners will be chosen by a distinguished panel of four judges.

The Tokyo-based ADB Institute, organizing and sponsoring the awards, was established in 1997 to help build capacity and knowledge related to poverty reduction and other areas that support long-term growth in developing economies in Asia and the Pacific.