Kuwait's Sheikh Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Journalism Awards Now Open

KUWAIT CITY, July 5, 2010 - Nominations are open for Sheikh Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah's Journalism
Excellence Awards (www.alwatan.com.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?Id=39796) in
Kuwait, under the patronage of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Defense.

The nominations will be open from July 1 to September 30. Sheikh Jaber
Al-Mubarak (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaber_Al-Mubarak_Al-Hamad_Al-Sabah)
also announced that significant changes have been made to strengthen the
competition, now in its third year of existence. Enhancements to the contest
include expanding the number of award categories, increasing the prize
amounts and clarifying the rules for entry. The First Deputy Prime Minister
told the committee that he pledges to provide "all necessary support to
Kuwaiti journalists in an effort to help them develop their professional
skills."

The creation of an awards program is a result of Sheikh Jaber
Al-Mubarak's commitment to free press in Kuwait. He said any strong democracy
must have a vibrant, free press in order to succeed. The First Deputy Prime
Minister added that he believes journalistic freedom is the reason why there
are many prize-worthy stories in Kuwait.

The most noticeable change to this year's contest is the expansion to
four award categories. Beginning this year, awards will be handed out in the
following groups:

    - Best Report
    - Best Investigative Journalism
    - Best Interview
    - Best Picture

In addition, the prize amounts have increased. Each category will feature
a KD 750 first prize, a KD 500 second prize and a KD 300 third prize. The
articles or photographs must not have been published prior to January 1,
2009. It is also stipulated that the stories must be written in Arabic and be
no less than 1,000 words.

All writers and photographers wishing to enter the competition must be
members of Kuwait's Journalism Association (KJA) (www.kja-kw.com/). To
maintain fairness and objectivity, no contest entrant can be related to
anyone on the committee selecting this year's prizes. Also, articles
submitted as nominations cannot have been entered in any other competition
inside or outside Kuwait.

This was issued by Al Madar. For more information about Al Madar visit
www.almadar-kw.com.

Hani Megahed of Al Madar, +965-2266-6008