Indonesian radio pioneer Tosca Santoso and Brazilian investigative journalist Daniela Arbex will receive the 2010 Knight International Journalism Award, said the Washington, DC-based Knight Foundation.
The recipients of the award, which are presented in honor of two media tycoon siblings of John S. and James L. Knight, was announced by the foundation Tuesday night.
Tosca founded the radio news agency KBR68H in 1999. The Knight Foundation said Tosca started with a team of seven, producing 15 minutes of news for seven radio stations each day.
Today, KBR68H is Indonesia’s largest radio network. Every day it transmits eight hours of news over 720 radio stations to 22 million listeners.
“For the first time, many Indonesians have access to public-service radio programs on topics such as good governance and human rights,” said a statement posted on the Knight Foundation’s website.
Tosca also introduced toll-free phone lines and text messaging, allowing ordinary citizens to talk with decision-makers on the radio. Other countries, including Nepal, Russia and Pakistan are replicating the agency’s model.
Tosca Santoso was also the recipient of the 2008-2009 King Baudouin International Development Prize. The award is presented by Brussel-based King Baudouin Foundation, founded in 1976 to honor the 25th anniversary of the king’s reign.
Daniela Arbex was awarded by the Knight Foundation for exposing the abuse of rape victims and the mentally ill, prompting government reforms.
“Arbex, a correspondent for the Minas Tribune newspaper in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, reports on the hardships of minorities and the poor. In a series, she revealed rape victims were denied medication to treat the HIV/AIDS, prompting the government to change its policy and release the drug,” the foundation said.
Arbex also reported that 30 mentally ill patients had died of poor service at a psychiatric hospital. The local government issued new standards for the care of patients with mental disorders.
“In yet another major story, she reported that drug traffickers enrolled kids in schools to sell narcotics. In response, officials added drug-education programs to the curriculum,” said the statement.
The awards will be presented to Tosca and Daniela Nov. 9 at an dinner in Washington, DC.
Respected reporter Christiane Amanpour, will MC the event.
