'Post' reporter receives Population Institute award

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Rita A. Widiadana of The Jakarta Post accepted an award from the Washington-based The Population Institute for the Best Individual Reporting Effort category in Havana, Cuba, on Monday.

Rita, the Post's chief correspondent in Bali, received the prestigious award for a series of reports on the population challenges of the Sasak people of Lombok island in the province of West Nusa Tenggara.

Her reports, published in January, followed an investigative reporting trip to the island east of Bali. She wrote four pieces: Lombok makes headway in family planning, Poverty breeds high divorce rates, Teens in dire need of sex education, and Sasak women victims of serious domestic violence.

The award was presented to Rita at a ceremony of the 2002 Global Media Awards for Excellence in Population Reporting, which was held in the Cuban capital.

Rita was the sole Asian representative to receive an award this year.

"Not bad. The Jakarta Post accepted the award alongside The Washington Post, Time and International Herald Tribune," an elated Rita wrote to colleagues back in Jakarta.

Other awards given include:

* Best Columnist: David Broder of The Washington Post

* Best International Daily: International Herald Tribune

* Best Periodical: Time Magazine

* Best Cartoonist: Peter Schrank, The Independent on Sunday (UK)

* Most Conscientious News Service: Inter Press Service

* Best Editorial Support for Solution to Population Problems: Omar Garcia of Reforma (Mexico)

* Best Radio Program: Noeleen@9, Radio South Africa 702

* Best TV Documentary: "One Child - One Voice", Barbara Pyle

* Best Population/Environmental Reporting Effort: The Earth Times

* Best Population Journal: Network, Family Health International

* Best Combined Media Effort on Behalf of the Population: The Better Health Campaign, Zambia Integrated Health Program

* Best Commercial Advertising Campaign: OK Condoms, Turkish Family Planning Foundation