The Issam Fares institute for Lebanese affairs has launched the Issam Fares Prize in Media Excellence. This yearly award covers various journalistic and media activities such as writing articles, reports and analyses. This prize is managed by a high committee of prominent journalists, scholars and public officials, as well as the institute itself acting as secretary general of the committee. Last month, the high committee held its first meeting and decided to grant the awards for the year 2007 for written articles that deal with social issues, among which, unemployment, immigration, human rights, drugs, violence and AIDS. An award of 5000 USD shall be delivered to the best social report and another of equal value, to the best social commentary. There is a difference between a report and a commentary. A report is a kind of field work, while a social commentary is not necessarily based on field work. The also committee decided to grant a 10000 USD award to the laureate of the “Lifetime Achievement Award”. “The Issam Fares Prize in Media Excellence is an integral part of the institute's activities. It is a proof of belief in the role of journalism as a guarantee of national interests and public freedoms. It is also patron of the Lebanese inventions and achievements in various fields. The institute receives candidacy forms for social reports and commentaries, as of January 15, 2008 until February 15, 2008. A copy of the article (and another copy as it was published in the magazine bearing the date of publication) as well as a résumé of the candidate must be attached to the application form. They are to send to the following address: The Secretary General for the Issam Fares Prize in Media ExcellenceIssam Fares institute for Lebanese affairsTayyar Center, Bloc C, 3rd floor Sin El Fil, Matn LebanonIt is also possible to obtain candidacy forms by visiting this website: www.if-cl.org or by calling at: 03-667663 / 01-490561, extension the "Issam Fares award of distinction in journalism."Our office is at your disposal from Monday till Friday from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m.