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ASIA SOCIETY ANNOUNCES FIRST
EVER PRIZE TO BE AWARDED FOR EXCELLENCE IN REPORTING ABOUT
ASIA
ANNUAL AWARD OF $10,000 TO HONOR JOURNALISM
LEGEND OSBORN ELLIOTT
April 1, 2003, New York—Richard C. Holbrooke, Chairman
of the Board of Trustees of the Asia Society and Nicholas
Platt, President of the Asia Society announced today at a
luncheon at Asia Society and Museum the establishment of the
Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Asian Journalism.
The $10,000 prize will be awarded annually to an American
or Asian who has produced the best example of journalism about
Asia in any media channel, including print, broadcast and
online sources. The luncheon and the creation of the prize
were a surprise to Mr. Elliott. Remarks were given by Donald
Graham, Chairman of The Washington Post Company.
“I am truly honored by the creation of this award.
It comes at a time when it’s imperative to listen to
other voices and learn what is happening in Asia,” said
Osborn Elliott. “I am especially grateful to the overwhelming
enthusiasm and generosity of the contributors to this prize
and to the leadership of Asia Society.”
The prize honors legendary journalist and author Osborn
Elliott, former editor-in-chief of Newsweek, who set new standards
for reporting and editing and became one of the earliest practitioners
of “civic journalism”—the deliberate focusing
of the journalistic enterprise on urgent issues of public
policy. From 1979 to 1986, Elliott was the Dean and the George
Delacorte Professor of the Columbia University Graduate School
of Journalism. He has long been involved in public service,
first as New York City’s first Deputy Mayor for Economic
Development in the mid-1970s, and now as Chairman of the Citizens
Committee for New York City. Elliott has served on numerous
civic and cultural boards—including Asia Society for
over a quarter of a century—but his passion has always
been journalism.
An independent panel of distinguished writers, award-winning
journalists and Asia-hands will review recommendations from
other professionals for candidates for the award. Fareed Zakaria,
editor of Newsweek International, political analyst for ABC
News and former managing editor of Foreign Affairs, will chair
the jury. Other members include Carroll R. Bogert, Communications
Director for Human Rights Watch and former foreign correspondent
for Newsweek; Ian Buruma, noted author, critic, and Luce Professor
of Democracy, Human Rights and Journalism at Bard College;
Henry Cornell, Managing Director of Goldman Sachs and Asia
Society trustee; Barbara Crossette, contributor to The New
York Times and former bureau chief for the newspaper in Bangkok,
New Delhi and at the United Nations; Walter Isaacson, President
and CEO of The Aspen Institute and former CEO of CNN and managing
editor of Time; Joe Klein, best selling author and columnist
for Time; and Joseph Lelyveld, former executive editor of
The New York Times. Criteria for the prize will include consideration
for the impact of the work, its originality, creativity, depth
of research and educational value in informing the public
about Asia.
The Osborn Elliott Prize for Excellence in Asian Journalism
will be presented at Asia Society’s annual dinner to
be held on May 12, 2003. The recipient will be expected to
write an essay for publication.
About Asia Society
Asia Society is America’s leading institution dedicated
to fostering understanding of Asia and communication between
Americans and the peoples of Asia and the Pacific. A nonprofit,
nonpartisan educational institution, Asia Society presents
a wide range of programs including major art exhibitions,
performances, media programs, international conferences and
lectures, and initiatives to improve elementary and secondary
education about Asia. The Asia Society is headquartered in
New York City, with regional centers in Washington, D.C.,
Houston, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Melbourne, Australia,
and representative offices in San Francisco, Manila and Shanghai.
Asia Society
725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street), New York City.
(212) 517-ASIA, www.asiasociety.org
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