Murdered journalist remembered

Marie O'Hagan, the widow of murdered Northern Ireland journalist, Martin O'Hagan, has joined with BBC foreign correspondent Fergal Keane, to present a special award at the Amnesty International UK Media Awards for 2002. The Awards recognise excellence in human rights journalism.

The Special Award for Human Rights Journalism Under Threat is given every year to a journalist who is putting himself or herself at risk by reporting on the human rights situation in their own country. The 2002 Special Award was jointly presented by BBC journalist Fergal Keane, and Marie O'Hagan, the widow of murdered Sunday World journalist, Martin O'Hagan.

Eritrean state-run television's Arabic Milkias Mihretab received the award in recognition of his bravery in reporting on the Eritrean government. As a result his life was put severely at risk and Milkias is now seeking asylum in the US. His award was accepted on his behalf by Amal Ali Mohamed Saleh, a presenter on the Eritrean state-run television's Arabic Service.

Amnesty International UK Communications Director Richard Bunting said: "With this special award, we hope to have honoured the memory of Martin O'Hagan, recognised the bravery of Milkias Mihretab and sent a message that journalists everywhere deserve the protection of the societies which they serve."

Martin O'Hagan was shot dead, apparently by loyalist paramilitaries, last September,just yards from his home in Lurgan,as he returned from an evening out with his wife. He was the first journalist to be killed for being a journalist in the 30-year Northern Ireland conflict.

Amnesty International UK Communications Director Richard Bunting said the award sent a message that journalists everywhere deserve the protection of the societies which they serve."

© 2002 Patrick Corrigan
Amnesty International Belfast