Brussels (Belgium), 12th April 2012 - 0700 CET - The
International Bureau of Epilepsy (IBE) and UCB are pleased
to announce the winners of the 2011 Excellence in Epilepsy
Journalism Award. The award aims to raise awareness about
epilepsy across the globe. It recognises journalists who
have excelled in reporting compelling and informed stories
that engage the audience on this often misunderstood
condition. Epilepsy is the most common, serious
neurological condition, affecting up to 50 million people
worldwide.1
Impressed by the standard of the articles submitted for
consideration to the judging panel this year, Mike Glynn,
award judge and President of IBE commented:
"We were pleased to receive almost 50 entries from 24
countries across the world. The importance of accurate,
insightful journalism across the globe is important for the
epilepsy community, who often face deep-seated stigma and
misconceptions about the reality of the condition."
"Our hope is that over time, we can help to encourage more
reporting that begins to break down these barriers to
understanding and acceptance for many people living with
epilepsy across the world."
An independent seven-member judging panel comprising media
experts and people with first-hand experience of epilepsy
were tasked with identifying responsible, original and
informed stories from the 49 entries.
2011 Winners
Print Category:
The winner of the print category was Maj My Midtgaard
Humaidan from Denmark for her article 'Living
Amidst Seizures and Lack of Empowerment' that
appeared in the Danish newspaper Fyns Amts
Avis.
"We felt that this was a powerful and compelling piece of
writing, something which really set this article apart,"
commented David Josephs member of the judging panel and UK
Epilepsy Advocate.
"The entry brilliantly depicts the portrait of someone
living with severe epilepsy and just how challenging this
can be, not just for the person but for the entire family."
Broadcast Category:
Birthe Tønseth from Ireland was the winner in the broadcast
category for her programme 'Life with
Epilepsy' broadcast on Radio Telefís Éireann's
RTÉ One.
"This programme looked at the lives of three people with
different types of epilepsy, in an accessible and uplifting
way through their personal stories," said Robert Cole,
member of the judging panel from the Epilepsy Association
of South Australia and the Northern Territory, Australia.
"The stories reference various challenges such as the
symptoms, common problems, stigma and discrimination, but
also the hopes, dreams and achievements of people living
with epilepsy. The entry was well researched and a worthy
winner."
Victoria Macdonald from the UK was also highly commended
for her piece 'Patients Not told of Epilepsy Sleep
Death Risk' which was broadcast on Channel 4
News.
"There was a high standard of entries in the broadcast
category this year," said Robert Cole, member of the
judging panel from the Epilepsy Association of South
Australia and the Northern Territory, Australia.
"Victoria Macdonald's news piece highlighted the case of
two families who lost daughters to Sudden Unexpected Death
in Epilepsy (SUDEP), who had not been warned of the risk.
SUDEP remains an important topic, and this entry was highly
commended by the judges."
Online Category:
The winner of the online category was Comfort Mussa from
Cameroon for her article 'Epilepsy Myths Promote
Stigma, Prevent Care in Cameroon' that appeared on
the Global Press Institute website.
"Comfort Mussa tackled an important issue in Africa, the
demonising of epilepsy, and did so in a very compelling
way," commented Joachim Mueller-Jung, member of the judging
panel, Writer and Journalist, Frankfurter Allgemeine
Zeitung, Germany.
"The story explores how myths promote stigma and sheds
light on the importance of sensitising the community to
accept people with epilepsy to ensure optimal care."
Notes to Editors
About the Excellence in Epilepsy Journalism Award
The award is a joint initiative of the IBE and UCB
and is open to consumer, health and medical journalists
writing for print, broadcast or online outlets.
The international judging panel comprised the following
judges:
• Mr Robert Cole, Epilepsy Association of South Australia
and the Northern Territory, Australia
• Dr Carlos Acevedo, Vice-President of the International
Bureau for Epilepsy Latin American Region and Editor,
International Epilepsy News, Chile
• Mr Joachim Mueller-Jung, Writer and Journalist,
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany
• Mr David Josephs, Epilepsy Advocate, UK
• Dr Mark Porter, GP & Medical Correspondent for The Times,
UK
• Mr Randolph Siegel, President, Local Digital Strategy,
Advance Publications, USA
• Mr Mike Glynn, President, IBE, Ireland
Entries were assessed on the following criteria:
• Helps to increase the awareness and
understanding of epilepsy
• Gives a voice to people with epilepsy
• Is conceptually or visually innovative and creative
• Is well structured, well researched and compelling
• Uses language responsibly when reporting or writing on
epilepsy
Certain local restrictions may apply regarding this
Award and it is only available where not prohibited or
restricted by local laws and regulations. The award winners
receive €4,000 each in travel vouchers and are encouraged
to use their prize to defray travel costs related to
further journalistic research and publications about
epilepsy.
Reference
1. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs999/en/
[accessed 28th March 2012]
For further information
UCB
Eimear O' Brien, Director, Brand Communications,
UCB
T +32 2 559 9271, eimear.obrien@ucb.com
IBE
Ann Little, Executive Director, IBE
T +353.1.210.8850 , ibedublin@eircom.net
About the IBE
Founded more than 50 years ago, the IBE is an organisation
for people with epilepsy and professionals interested in
the medical and non-medical aspects of epilepsy. The IBE
addresses such social problems as education, employment,
insurance, driving licence restrictions and public
awareness, and supports its members through a range of
innovative and important initiatives aimed at improving the
quality of life of people with epilepsy and their families.
www.ibe-epilepsy.org
About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global
biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and
development of innovative medicines and solutions to
transform the lives of people living with severe diseases
of the immune system or of the central nervous system. With
more than 8 500 people in about 40 countries, the company
generated revenue of EUR 3.2 billion in 2011. UCB is listed
on Euronext Brussels.
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