Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas of Ghana wins the Kurt Shork Award for International Journalism for his coverage of cross-border human trafficking in Africa. Anas is also a contributor to the upcoming Global Integrity Report.

Our congratulations to both winners. We at Global Integrity are continually amazed by the quality of the work being done at the local level worldwide, and are grateful to the talented journalists and researchers who contribute to the Global Integrity projects.

Press release, via email:

Kurt Schork Awards for International Journalism Honour Ghanaian Undercover Reporter & US Freelancer deported from Pakistan

Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Nicholas Schmidle were this week named the winners of the 7th annual Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism

The African and US journalist beat dozens of other reporters around the world with their entries selected by a panel of international judges which included Ben Brown BBC TV Special Correspondent, Christina Lamb of the Sunday Times, Roy Greenslade of the Guardian and celebrated editor of the Irrawaddy magazine, Aung Zaw.

The judges found Anas’s expose of a complex cross-border human trafficking syndicate, ‘fearless and compelling’ and a rich example of ‘journalism that has brought about real change for the better.’ As a result of his undercover investigation, and his collaboration with law enforcement, NGOs and other journalists, 17 Nigerian trafficking victims were rescued. Anas said: “This award is not about the money; it is about the prestige and more importantly how it has rejuvenated me to aspire higher and higher to serve humanity. The fact that somebody somewhere respects what we produce in our little corners here is enough motivation for me.” Anas picks up the award in the local journalist category.

Nicholas Schmidle picked up first place in the freelance journalist category for his work spanning tribal insurgency in a Pakistan province to the depth and breadth of Iranian influence in Western Afghanistan. The publication of his piece Next-Gen Taliban in the New York Times led the government to deport him and his wife from the country within 48 hours. The judges “particularly appreciated the way in which he disaggregated Muslim fundamentalism. His mix of detailed information with historical context gives you a wonderful sense of being there.”

Launched in 2001, The Schork Awards honour excellence and bravery in freelance reporting from areas of crisis and transition. They celebrate the life and work of Kurt Schork, the former freelance reporter who was killed eight years ago in Sierra Leone while on assignment for Reuters.

The awards are funded by the Kurt Schork Memorial Foundation and managed by the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR). Next month will see both winners brought to London for an evening of celebration at the Frontline Club led by Allan Little of the BBC.

For more information about the awards, the ceremony and/or winnersʼ press schedules: http://www.iwpr.net

Or contact: Vanessa@iwpr.net | Institute for War & Peace Reporting

— Jonathan Werve