14 December 2010 - Reading, UK—Atex is proud to announce its sponsorship for the Martin Adler Prize at The Rory Peck Awards 2010. The Prize recognizes the work of freelance newsgatherers in reporting and producing important news stories. The 2010 recipient, Arturo Perez, covers the bloody drug wars in Mexico’s most violent city of Ciudad Juarez.
Arturo has provided a wealth of stories on the city’s gruesome drug violence. His work has highlighted how the drug war is claiming more and more victims not involved with the trade – children, women and university students. In 2009, some 2,750 people were killed in Juarez and it is estimated that by the end of 2010, the body count will reach 3,000.
This is the third consecutive year Atex has sponsored the Martin Adler Prize and recognizes the enormous contribution freelancers make in bringing critical news to the mainstream media.
“In a world of unlimited digital content, it is easy to forget the bravery and commitment of freelance journalists as they raise awareness of the real issues affecting local communities. Quantity cannot replace quality, and Atex is proud to be associated with the Rory Peck Awards and its support of freelancers,” said Alan Reardon, Atex Group CEO. “At Atex, we strive to provide our customers with tools to increase the efficiency of producing and distributing the news. Awards like the Martin Adler Prize demonstrate that without people on the ground working directly in harm’s way, some of the globe’s most influential news stories would never see the light of day.”
The Martin Adler Prize is awarded annually by the Rory Peck Trust to a freelance journalist, videographer, or producer who has risked his or her life in the reporting of an important news story. The Prize is named in honour of Martin Adler, the late award-winning freelance journalist, photographer and filmmaker. The awards ceremony is the main fundraiser for The Rory Peck Trust, which supports freelance newsgatherers and their families worldwide in times of need and promotes their welfare and safety.
"We are extremely grateful to Atex for their sponsorship of the Martin Adler Prize," said Tina Carr, Director of The Rory Peck Trust. "Their support for this special award demonstrates an understanding of the important role that freelancers play in international newsgathering, and acknowledges the challenges and dangers that many of them face on a regular basis."
About Martin Adler
Martin Adler was an award-winning freelance journalist, photographer and filmmaker who was murdered in Somalia in 2006. Committed to covering the people, places and events that he felt nobody else cared about, Martin’s work shed light on some of the most dangerous and abusive situations in the world. He was a regular entrant to The Rory Peck Awards, winning in 2004 for his shocking account of the US army’s modus operandi in Iraq. In memory of Martin’s great talents as a journalist, filmmaker and storyteller, the Trust inaugurated this special prize in 2007.
About The Rory Peck Awards
The Rory Peck Awards, sponsored by Sony Professional is a unique and highly respected international competition that honours the work of freelance cameramen and camerawomen in broadcast news and current affairs. There are three competitive awards, plus the Martin Adler Prize which is given in the gift of the Trust. This annual event, held every November in London, is the main fundraiser for The Rory Peck Trust.
About The Rory Peck Trust
The Rory Peck Trust supports freelance newsgatherers and their families worldwide in times of need and promotes their welfare and safety. The Trust provides financial support to freelancers and to the families of those who are killed, seriously injured or suffering persecution as a result of their work. Now an internationally recognized organization, the Trust provides a unique source of assistance, and is widely respected for the role it plays in promoting good practice and the right of freelance newsgatherers to do their work safely and in freedom. The Trust enjoys the active involvement and support of an international and influential committee of freelance newsgatherers, journalists’ organizations and broadcasters including ABC News, Aljazeera, APTN, ARD, BBC, BSkyB, CBC, CBS, Channel 4 TV, CNN, ITN, NBC, Reuters, RTE, WDR, ZDF. The Trust is totally independent and relies on its income from sponsorship, grants and donations. www.rorypecktrust.org