ICT Germany presents German journalists with ‘Snow Lion’ journalist award
DHARAMSALA, Oct 23: Several German journalists were awarded International Campaign for Tibet Germany’s ‘Snow Lion’ award which recognizes excellence in independent reporting on Tibet.
The ceremony held in Berlin on Oct 18 was attended by senior correspondents and writers including Chinese dissident Liao Yiwu and supporters of ICT.
Filmmakers and authors Thomas Weidenbach and Shi Ming were awarded First Prize of the award for their documentary “Struggle for Tibet”, a compelling film which reveals the strategic significance of Tibet to the Chinese leadership.
Runner-ups and winners of the Second Prize are German journalists Doreen Fiedler (“A people in exile: Tibetans and their struggle”, German Press Agency DPA) and Diana Francovic (“Journey through a quiet country”, rbb Kulturradio).
German author Klemens Ludwig received an honorary mention for his piece “Humble and generous” (Südwind Magazin).
Independent Jurists of the ‘Snow Lion’ awards comprising of German journalists Eva Corell and Andreas Lorenz and German actor, filmmaker and author Hannes Jaenicke, also gave a research grant of 2000 Euros.
Prominent Chinese journalist Chang Ping, former chief commentator of the ground-breaking newspaper Southern Weekend who now lives in Germany after being forced to leave China and Hong Kong addressed the award ceremony. He spoke about the dangers of reporting on China due to the Chinese government’s restrictions on journalists and extended reach to the outside world with the creation of new media outlets.
German actress Inés Burdow read a moving piece by Tibetan writer Tsering Woeser, who lives in Beijing, about her period under house arrest after she spoke to a German journalist who was travelling to Lhasa.
The ceremony was presented by German journalist Thomas Franke.
Previous awardees were German and Austrian journalists Mara Simperler and Bernhard Bartsch (both 2013), Christine Adelhardt and Andreas Hilmer (both 2012) and radio journalist Kai Adler (2011).
