KARACHI, Dec 26: The United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization (Unesco) and the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) have instituted the Unesco/ PPF Gender in Journalism Annual Awards for two journalists of the the print media.

One of the awards would recognize excellence in gender-sensitive reporting. It would be open to both male and female journalists. The award would recognize models of excellence and best practices in the coverage of gender-related issues, Owais Aslam Ali, the Secretary-General of the PPF, said.

The second award will recognize outstanding coverage of any issue by a female journalist. It will recognize competence and contributions of women to journalism and provide role models to women entering or planning to enter the profession.

News, columns and features published in Pakistani publications during 2002 will be eligible for the Rs25,000 Unesco/PPF Gender in Journalism Annual Awards. A panel of eight journalists will judge the entries. Entries in languages other than English and Urdu would have to be accompanied by a translated copy of the work.—PPI