Caroline Muscat awarded national prize in EC journalism contest

The European Commission Representation Office in Malta has awarded Caroline Muscat, a freelance journalist, with the national prize of the journalist competition “For Diversity. Against Discrimination.”.

The winning article entitled “Between ‘the rock’ and a hard place” was published on The Malta Independent on Sunday on the 22 August 2010.

The Head of the EC Representation in Malta, Mr William Martin, presented the certificate and a gift voucher to Ms Muscat at the EC Representation Office in Dar l-Ewropa, Valletta.

The winning article looks into the humanitarian aspect of the migrants in Malta. It was a clear first, and the jury panel praised the article remarking that it faithfully depicts the situation of irregular immigrants in Malta, particularly in the labour market. The jury added that it is a well researched and comprehensive exposè of racism. Ms Muscat’s article will now be representing Malta at the European level of the competition.

An independent jury composed of Editorial Consultant Laurence Grech, lawyer and The Times opinion columnist Dr Claire Bonello, MaltaToday.com.mt editor Matthew Vella, Maria Theresa Portelli, Communications and PR Officer at the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality, and Dr Angelo Chetcuti, Press/Political Officer at the EC Representation, assessed the 15 submissions by Maltese journalists.

Rosemarie Dorekens’s article “Id-diversita` mhix għażla imma realta`” (“Diversity is not a choice but a reality”) won the second place while David Vella’s article “Christian’s Lessons – setting disability aside to become a school teacher” placed third.

More than 1,100 articles from across the European Union were submitted in this competition raising awareness about discrimination and diversity. In December, a European jury will select the overall winner of the European Journalists Award competition. All national winners will participate in this second round. For the seventh year running, this award honours journalists who contribute to a better understanding of the benefits of diversity and the fight against discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or ethnic origin.