17. MUSA ANTER AWARD

The Musa Anter Reward for Press Matyrs is organized by the Kurdish language newspaper Azadiya Welat and the Turkish language Günlük newspaper. This year is the 17^th organization of the contest. The award is given in the name of Kurdish writer and poet Musa Anter who was assassinated on 20 September 1992 in Diyarbakır.

In the category of Turkish news journalist Mehmet Karbaş from the Batman Post Newspaper is awarded the first price for his article "Mass Grave on the Helkis Mountain" as well as journalist Hikmet Erden from the Dicle ('Tigris') News Agency (DİHA) for his article "Yaşar Kemal and Celal Talabani translated into unknown languages".

In the category for Kurdish news the award goes to DİHA correspondent Erdoğan Altan for his article ""Beranberî Sewalan Pasdar Rehîn Girtin"

Nine-year-old M.Ö. receives the Kurdish Honor Award. She had been investigated for giving Kurdish lessons to her friends at home.

The prizes will be awarded to the winners of the Musa Anter Award for Press Matyrs in a ceremony on Sunday 27 September 2009 in the Nusaybin district of the city of Mardin, which was Musa Anter's birth place.

Special Award for Gün TV

In the category for Turkish news Volkan Eser from Taraf Newspaper comes second for his article "Strange Police Test: Do you have scars from stones?". Elif Görgü and Meral Peker from Ervrensel Newspaper are awarded with the third rank for their article "Alevi Initiative from TSK".

The jury did not find suitable candidates for the second and third rank in the Kurdish category. So they will give a Special Jury Award to Gün TV. The television station broadcasts in Diyarbakır and is awarded for standing up to the pressure they receive because of broadcasting in Kurdish.

Photography Award goes to Batman as well

The award also includes the category of photography and caricatures.

On first rank Selahattin Kahraman is awarded for his photograph entitled "The Other Democracy". The second price goes to Sedat Suna for his picture "Coffins" and Müjgan Arpat comes third with a photograph entitled "Demolition" All three journalist work at the Batman Newspaper. The Special Jury Award in the category of photography goes to Ferhat Aslan for his picture "Sunset".

Aşkın Ayrancıoğlu, Özgür Evran and Murat Ipek are awarded the first, second and third rank respectively in the category of caricatures. Mahmut Erdal Karakoç receives the Special Jury Award in this catergory.

The Gurbeteli Ersöz Special Award was given to Ahmet Brisin, Gün TV Publications Coordinator who is detained in the Diyarbakır D Type Prison, to Ayadiya Welat Concessionaire Owner journalist Vedat Kurşun and to Günlük Newspaper writer Veysi Sarısöz who is on trial because of his articles. (BÇ/VK)