By Matters India Reporter
Hong Kong, September 3, 2019: Geneva-based International Christian Organisation of the Media (ICOM) has chosen the Sunday Examiner of Hong Kong for this year’s Titus Brandsma Award, an international recognition for promoting dialogue.
The English newspaper was established in 1946 as a media activity of the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong. The award is in recognition for the efforts of the Sunday Examiner for upholding ethics and values in journalism, the ICOM said in a message to Cardinal John Tong and Bishop Joseph Ha of Hong Kong.
The ICOM statement reads that ‘the award honors initiatives for upholding human dignity, healing wounds and promoting dialogue in all circumstances through the media’.
The award is instituted in memory of Blessed Titus Brandsma (1981-1942), a Dutch Carmelite who was a journalist. The Dutch Carmelites and the ICOM have instituted the Award in 1990 and has been attributed triennially since 1992.
The communiqué stated that the award Jury decided in favor of the Sunday Examiner after considering highly qualified candidates from other parts of the world. The International Jury found that the Sunday Examiner is well focused on present-day issues, with an editorial view that seeks dialogue, truth and justice.
The Titus Brandsma Award honors and encourages the diocesan newspaper as a whole and especially its editorial team in their work at these very challenging times for Hong Kong and the profession of journalism. The award accompanies and supports them in their initiatives and endeavors that respect peoples, cultures, dialogue and fundamental freedoms of individuals.
ICOM commits to contributing to dignified journalism, promoting ethics, values and ideals; upholding human dignity, ensuring ongoing formation, investing in young journalists, respecting peoples, cultures, lives and nature worldwide.
Claretian Father Jose Cherukara is the chief editor of the Catholic weekly. He is an Indian and has been a missionary in Hong Kong for 10 years.