The new site (www.biodiversityreporting.org) is hosted in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and features the articles that have competed in the Award since 1999. A fourth language, French, is being added this year.

"The variety and depth of these articles make this site a treasure trove for those that are interested in finding out more about environmental issues in these nations," said Conservation International's Vice President for International Communications and the competition's founder, Haroldo Castro. "It has articles from some of the region's leading papers, as well as excellent pieces from some smaller dailies. It's an international and multilingual platform that give journalists throughout the tropics the ability to share their work and experiences with their colleagues."

Organized by Conservation International, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and the International Federation of Environmental Journalists (IFEJ), the Award was founded in 1999 to recognize outstanding environmental reporting in biodiversity-rich countries. Initially held in Guatemala and Guyana, the Award has grown every year. During the 2004, the competition will be held in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Madagascar and Peru. Also this year, Brazil will open the Award to television journalists.

"This website offers a beautiful showcase for environmental journalism from this group of biologically diverse countries," said Rob Taylor, director of Science and Environmental Programs for the International Center for Journalists. "I am confident it will give a boost to the competition and environmental coverage in general."
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Contact: Jim Wyss
j.wyss@conservation.org
202-912-1388
Conservation International
11-Mar-2004