SOPA Announces 2008 Editorial Excellence Award Winners

Hong Kong (June 4, 2008) – The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) announced today the winners of its 2008 awards for Editorial Excellence. Winners were selected in 17 categories for English language media and Chinese language media. On its tenth anniversary, the SOPA Editorial awards received a record 629 entries from leading publications across the region. The 82 judges comprised respected journalists, editors and academics from top national and regional media and top universities in the world.

“This rapid rate of growth reflects increasing interest around the region in raising journalistic standards, together with growing acceptance of the concept of a benchmark of excellence underpinned by SOPA’s commitment to free speech and professional integrity,” said Kevin Brown, Chairman of SOPA’s Editorial Awards committee.

A total of 96 awards were made at the Gala awards dinner this evening at the JW Marriott Hotel, where Mr. Ching Cheong (程翔先生) delivered the keynote address. The dinner was sponsored by Invest HK (Main sponsor), CLSA and IPSOS (Associate sponsors). At the gala dinner, SOPA also presented a cheque to The Society for the Relief of Disabled Children, located in Sandy Bay, Pokfulam. This was part of SOPA’s annual donation to charity from the proceeds of the organization’s activities.

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The 2008 awards were supported by Ifra Asia, International Federation of the Periodical Press (FIPP), the World Editors Forum (WEF), and the editorial division of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

The SOPA Awards were established in 1999 as a tribute to editorial excellence in both traditional and new media and are designed to honor excellence and to encourage editorial vitality throughout the region. This year’s awards cover a broad range of categories reflecting Asia’s vibrant and successful editorial scene.

The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) was founded in 1982 to promote, maintain and manage both local publishers and local representatives of foreign publishers, with a view to fostering better cooperation and understanding among members.

For more information please contact the SOPA secretariat at Tel: (852) 2572 2100, Fax: (852) 2572 2113 or e-mail: [email protected]