RIYADH, 28 January 2008 — Princess Hussa bint Salman announced yesterday that she was establishing a prize for outstanding women journalists in the Kingdom. The prize, the first of its kind in the Middle East, will be awarded by the Prince Ahmed bin Salman Institute for Applied Media. There will be three prizes: one for the best woman journalist; second for the best woman writer; and the third for a woman pioneer in print media.
Addressing a press conference at Nayyara Festival Hall in Riyadh, Princess Hussa also announced plans to provide scholarships in journalism to two women. “The scholarships are aimed at improving the standard of women journalists,” the princess said. Those who win the scholarship can pursue their higher studies at reputable foreign universities.
Princess Hussa said the idea for the prize was first mentioned during the first forum of women journalists in Riyadh. “It was in line with the vision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan to empower women and enable them to make greater contributions to building Saudi society,” she explained.
Princess Hussa said a special panel of media persons would be set up to choose the winners of the three prizes after evaluating the work and contributions of nominated woman journalists and writers.
“In the selection of the winner of the prize for the pioneer, questionnaires will be distributed among different sections of society.”
Princess Hussa said scientific methods would be applied to select the winners of journalism prizes. “Media works nominated for the prize should not violate Islamic principles and Saudi norms and traditions,” she added.
Hussa thanked her father, Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman, for his support to the prize as an encouragement to Saudi women journalists in order for them to make greater contributions toward the development of their society.
