When we read the work published by our young journalists, we know that the future of the media industry is bright. The ‘IPF Contributor of the Month’ is a celebration of our best and most inspiring talent.
February 2017
WINNER
Frankie Mills, ‘The Central American refugees behind Trump’s border wall‘
“What a powerful piece of work. Frankie not only captured the refugees’ emotion beautifully through her camera, but their stories really came to life through her compelling words and interviews. It takes real skill to tell such heartbreaking stories in the right way, but Frankie makes it look easy. One can only commend her for shining a light on the refugee crisis that the world has, so far, largely ignored.”
– Priyanka Mogul, IPF Editor-in-Chief
“As I was reading the article, I felt like I was inside the shelter where Frankie Mills spent time volunteering. Frankie’s interviews are eye opening and heartwarming – and her words really emphasise the struggles faced by many of these male refugees. But most importantly, the article shows that they are human beings who need all the support they can get. On a side note: I really think President Trump should read this.”
– Catarina Demony, IPF Managing Editor
NOMINEES
Isabela Vrba, ‘Carnival 2017: Brazilian campaign united women against sexual assault‘
Shona Cobb, ‘Menopausal in my teens: Amy’s story‘
January 2017
WINNER
Elena Cherubini, ‘Malta bans gay conversion therapy: Young LGBTQ campaigners tell their story‘
“Elena did a great job at making sure the voices of young people on the ground were heard on this extremely crucial issue. She beautifully captured a historic moment for Malta’s LGBTQ community, while also highlighting the issues that still need to be addressed. It’s usually the ‘experts’ who are interviewed on topics such as this one, but Elena recognised that the youth voice is what was missing from this discussion and that is what made her piece stand out.”
– Priyanka Mogul, IPF Editor-in-Chief
“Conversion therapy affects many LGBTQ people around the world – and Malta is the proof that this dangerous practice can be stopped and challenged. I’m glad the IPF was able to share such a fantastic piece on Malta’s ban on gay conversion therapy – and I hope the article inspires young people to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community. It is important to highlight that young people are often the voices behind the headlines – but Elena did a great job bringing those voices forward.”
– Catarina Demony, IPF Managing Editor
NOMINEES
Yaerin Ku, ‘Young women in South Korea fight to gain justice for the “Comfort Women” of WWII‘
Arpita Mitra, ‘Prison conditions in Africa: The path to penal reform in Kenya and Uganda‘
November 2016
WINNER
Yaerin Ku, ‘Solar Sister empowers female entrepreneurs in Africa through green energy‘
“Yaerin has demonstrated consistent passion for the field of journalism through her work for the IPF. Although her area of interest is reporting on South Korea, she is confident enough to take on subject areas that are far out of her comfort zone. This article is one such example of her enthusiasm to learn through each new article that she writes. Based on her current levels of commitment and dedication, I have no doubt that she is going to exceed as a journalist and I continue to watch her career with excitement.”
– Priyanka Mogul, IPF Editor-in-Chief
“It is an amazing feeling to able to use the IPF as a platform to spread the word about organisations like Solar Sister, which are doing great work to empower women in Africa. It is unbelievable how lack of access to energy can have such a negative impact on people’s lives – and concise articles like this one are vital to raise awareness about this important issue. The pictures chosen make the piece even more powerful – and highlight how visual content is essential in today’s journalism.”
– Catarina Demony, IPF Managing Editor
NOMINEES
Isabela Vrba, ‘Venezuela’s corruption crisis has led to a clampdown on democracy and freedom of speech‘
October 2016
WINNER
Nicholas Cheng, ‘Malaysia’s crackdown on press freedom: Journalists reveal their struggle against censorship‘
“In a country where journalists continue to risk their lives just by doing their job, Nicholas Cheng’s article was not only a great piece of journalism, but a crucial insight into press freedom in Malaysia. Nicholas went above and beyond to make sure the story was told in the right way, producing engaging and in-depth text, alongside a visually enhancing video. This article is a combination of courage and great skill, which has perfectly illustrated his dedication to the field of journalism.”
– Priyanka Mogul, IPF Editor-in-Chief
“Press freedom in Malaysia is highly restricted – most media outlets are controlled by the government and journalists working in independent media are constantly at risk. This article written by Nicholas demonstrates exactly that – in a very objective and factual way. Nicholas didn’t only interview journalists, but went above and beyond to interview key figures, such as Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, who have been fighting for freedom of expression for a very long time. Nichola’s article doesn’t only explain what’s happening in Malaysia, but inspires us to take action and demand justice. And that’s what journalism is all about.”
– Catarina Demony, IPF Managing Editor
NOMINEES
Yaerin Ku, ‘Cocks Not Glocks: Students in Texas and Kansas fight back as guns allowed on campus‘
Arpita Mitra, ‘Why police brutality against black men is perpetuated in the United States‘
September 2016
WINNER
Isabela Vrba, ‘Pakistan journalists raise concerns about press freedom amid attacks on news organisation‘
“Apart from writing a timely and relevant article based on something that was in the news, Isabela also used social media to track down some great sources. She did a brilliant job of illustrating exactly what it means to be a 21st century digital journalist – quick, resourceful and unique. She’s definitely one to watch.”
– Priyanka Mogul, IPF Editor-in-Chief
“I was really impressed when I opened Twitter and saw that Isabela contacted Kiran Nazish, who is an award-winning Pakistani journalist, for an IPF article. I was even more impressed when Nazish said yes to the interview. This shows not only Isabela‘s commitment, but also how she is utilising her journalistic skills to find relevant people to interview.”
– Catarina Demony, IPF Managing Editor:
NOMINEES
Harriet King, ‘Calais and Dunkirk: Demolition and forced evictions from refugee camps will make things worse‘
Yaerin Ku, ‘The United Nations Population Fund discusses the link between development, extremism and the refugee crisis‘