Congolese journalist wins UNDP award

The Congolese journalist Emmanuel Pweto, working for Africa news and Radio RTGA Kinshasa, has won the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Award for journalism development in 2008. This award is given by the UNDP on the occasion of International Day for the Fight against Poverty. This day is celebrated each year on October 17.The first competition held in DR Congo, to propose a report and analysis of the poverty situation in the DRC, cases of gender issues and violence against women and girls, issues related to environment, the health and the promotion of democratic governance.

More than 100 candidates participated in the competition in different areas of the press among other newspapers, on-line press, radio and television. The jury established by the UNDP for this competition launched to the media in different sectors recognized the high bills submitted by the applicants. As far as other laureates who were awarded, Emmanuel Pweto, contributed their work to the fight against poverty.

According to the press release of the UN agencies, which, through this gesture would “reward Congolese journalists who have distinguished themselves during the years 2007-2008 through their reporting and analysis (…) at this battle on different fronts to overcome constraints to development. “(…) The situation of poverty in the DRC, issues relating to gender and sexual violence to women and the girl issues (…) health, and promoting democratic governance,” are all themes which focused on the competition. And all media sectors combined, the organizer of  (…) recognizes the crucial role played by communicators (…).”

They operate effectively (…) in the analysis of factors (…), the awareness and decision-makers and the emphasis of programs and results achieved in (…) the fight against poverty”, said the source . Far from being limited in the road, UNDP praises the “fourth estate”. It asserts that “(…) journalists also play a large role in  their supervisory function of citizen action, to shine the spotlight on barriers (…) and motivate involvement in the provision of quality services to people.”