2011 Inquirer Award Winners to be Announced in Feb.

The Thomson Foundation of the UK will be announcing the winners of the Inquirer Award 2011 at a special Awards ceremony which will be held in Amman, Jordan on the 4th of February 2012.

"We received a total of 85 entries to the Print Media category," The foundation said in a press statement.

A total of 19 entries to the Television category and a total of 18 photojournalists took part in the Photojournalism category.

The majority of the Photography entries came from Palestine, while the majority of the Print and Television entries came from Palestine and Iraq.

Once all the entries were received, the name of the reporter was blotted out and the entry was given a number and then sent out to the panel of judges from the five participating countries.

Judges looked for entries that showed comprehensive and thorough research, incisive interviewing techniques, and creative and well-constructed writing and presentation. The top 15 entries from each category were then sent to the Final Round judge who is from outside the region.

Reporters were free to choose the topic of their investigation. They had to demonstrate an ability to examine, in depth, a significant issue that is relevant to the region and its people.

In addition to receiving The Inquirer Award trophy, the first place winners in each of the three categories – Print, Television and Photojournalism will be hosted by Thomson Foundation on a one week fully paid tour to the UK to look at the media there. The 2nd and 3rd places will also receive valuable prizes.

The Inquirer Award project was first launched in Jordan in 2003. Since then it has developed and grown to include Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and most recently Iraq.