[IRP] Google and Global Voices announce new awards to promote online free expression

Wed Jan 6 17:13:12 EET 2010

FYI

all info also on http://breakingborders.net/

**Google and Global Voices announced the details of the ?Breaking Borders
Award? to honor those around the world who are fighting for free expression
online. The award, totaling $30,000, will honor and support outstanding web
projects, initiated by individuals or groups, that demonstrate  courage,
energy and resourcefulness in using the Internet to promote freedom of
expression.

Nominations for the award can be submitted starting today at
www.breakingborders.<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.breakingborders.net&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFrqEzfCeH5cfV2sAVa0xb_QDNS1Mnettg>
*net<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.breakingborders.de%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFrqEzc7jgu6uL1XAlEHIYXfwWgZnfG_1A>
*, the* *submission phase will end on 15th of February 2010. The award will
be given in three categories, with a $10,000 prize for each awardee.

   1. *Advocacy,* given to an activist or group that has used online tools
   to promote free expression or encourage political change
   2. *Technology*, given to an individual or group that has created an
   important tool that enables free expression and expands access to
   information
   3. *Policy*, given to a policy maker, government official or NGO leader
   who has made a notable contribution in the field

 The winners are going to be announced and honored in spring 2010.

*"Free societies and prosperity are fundamentally based on freedom of
expression, both offline and online," said David Drummond,**
*Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer*. "The
internet is providing once unimaginable possibilities for political
participation, free exchange of information and democratic movements around
the world.  *

*"These awards will honor those who are making a real difference," Drummond
said. "We look forward to our partnership with Global Voices and appreciate
the support of Thomson Reuters.  All of us believe we must develop, support
and encourage projects that use the Internet to promote free expression and
open up new horizons to citizens everywhere."*

"The Internet has emerged as a critical front in the freedom of expression
movement worldwide," said Sami Ben Gharbia, Advocacy Director at Global
Voices. "In our work at Global Voices we're consistently impressed with the
creative ways activists and others are finding to promote freedom of
expression online. We're thrilled to be associated with an award recognizing
the innovation that's taking place in this area."

Nominations are open to individuals, groups or cooperative projects in any
of the three categories. Participants can nominate themselves, as well as
blogs, websites or other online presences. The nominees should have helped
to promote the free circulation of ideas, stood up against censorship,
helped local communities, raised awareness about a specific issue or cause,
mobilized to change government policy or supported silenced voices.

Nominations -- which should include a biography of the individual or a
description of the group and text and video content displaying the nominee's
work (see below) -- can be submitted at the Breaking Borders website
www.breakingborders.net<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.breakinborders.net&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFrqEzdei3LiXa1Yn2L7cVMVNL8nrt483A>.
 All nominations will be handled confidentially.

An international committee of experts, including representatives from the
private sector and NGOs, will judge the nominees and determine the awards.

Citizens all over the world are also invited to share their voices and
points of view on the Freedom of Expression @ Google  YouTube-Channel at
www.youtube.com/googlefreeexpression.

*About Google*

Google's innovative search technologies and web services connect millions of
people around the world and allow them to express themselves every day.
Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin,
Google today is a top Web property in all major global markets. Google's
targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with
measurable results, while enhancing the overall Web experience for users.
Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the
Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

*About Global Voices*

Global Voices (GV) has emerged as the leading news room for citizen voices
from the developing world. GV is a vibrant global community of hundreds of
people, helping individuals, media professionals and the development
community access the diverse sources of information coming from citizen
media. It is also a platform for innovation in global citizen media,
designing and launching original projects that advance access and rights to
information about and from the developing world. For more information, go to
www.globalvoicesonline.org<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.globalvoicesonline.org&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFrqEzcRim9FeCi1pmsCsNz_I5aUYDQECg>
.

* *

*About Thomson Reuters *

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for
businesses and professionals.  We combine industry expertise with innovative
technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the
financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and science and media
markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization.  With
headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan,
Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people and operates in
over 100 countries. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX: TRI) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TRI). For more
information, go to
www.thomsonreuters.com.<http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thomsonreuters.com&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFrqEzckrxhXLFMNdqGLWtp0rylTvRL7WA>
*

*

* *

*Press Contacts*

*Google*

Kay Oberbeck

Head of Communications & Public Affairs

Google Germany, Austria, Switzerland

Tel: +49 (0)40-80 817 9226

E-Mail: kayo at google.com

* *

*Global Voices
*Georgia Popplewell

Managing Director
Tel: +1 868 681 6103

email: georgiap at globalvoicesonline.org*
*
*Thomson Reuters
*Alex Honeysett
PR Specialist, Editorial, Reuters
Tel: +44 (0)20 7542 8509
E-Mail: Alexandra.Honeysett at thomsonreuters.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*What is the Breaking Borders Award?*
The Breaking Borders award was set up by Global Voices and Google to
highlight the importance of free expression around the world and send a
clear message to regimes that censor content both online and offline by
honoring an outstanding webprojects by individuals or groups, who have shown
courage, energy and resourcefulness in using the internet to promote freedom
of expression, ensure that diverse political viewpoints are heard and stand
up to those who censor information.

 *Who can participate?*
 Anyone with a relevant online presence can participate. Nominate yourself,
a blog, website or other online presence you consider has helped promote the
free circulation of ideas, stood up against censorship, helped local
communities, raised awareness about a specific issue or cause, mobilised
government or supported silenced voices.

 *Are there any geographical restrictions to participate?*
No, the nominee can be based or support a cause anywhere in the world.

 *How do I nominate?*
Fill-out the nomination form
here<http://sites.google.com/site/breakingbordersberlin/award-nomination-form>or
send us an email to
nomination at breakingborders.net. Please understand that we can only accept
nominations if you provide the following information: a) the name and
contact of the nominee (or the organisation/initiative) b) blog, website or
other online presence that shows the value of the nominee, c) why the
nominee merits the Breaking Borders Award and c) your contact details so we
can get in touch with you should we have further questions.  Also we would
highly appreciate if you could send us the contacts of one or two people who
know the nominee and his/her work well.
 *How will the winner be elected?*
A group of international experts in the field of media, politics and social
activism will thoroughly review all nominations and select the winner.
 *Will there only be one winner?*There will be winners in several categories

   - activist or voice that has promoted an important position or argument
   - tool-maker for online FoE
   - policy maker or politician

 *Will the winner receive a prize?*
The awardees will receive a price of $$10'000 each
 *What is the deadline for nominations?*
The deadline for nominations is the 15th of February 2010.
 *When will the winner be announced?*
The awards will be announced in spring 2010.
 *I would like to upload a video supporting my nomination on the Freedom of
Expression at Google  YouTube channel.*
Email us on nominations at breakingborders.de (separate to email above) to ask
to have your video on our Playlist.
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