Indian Catholic journalist chosen for 2013 Titus Brandsma Award

05 July, 2013 - Indian Catholic journalist, Anto Akkara has been honoured by the International Christian Organisation of the Media (ICOM) with the 2013 Titus Brandsma International award for journalism. The award, from the Geneva-based forum for professionals and institutions in secular and religious journalism, will be conferred at ICOM’s world congress in Panama City, Sept. 29-Oct. 6. The award is named after Blessed Titus Brandsma, a Dutch Carmelite priest and journalist who died in 1942 at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. “The jury took the decision considering the contribution you have made in defending human rights and speaking up for the oppressed in your journalistic work in South Asia.” ICOM wrote to Akkara. “By deciding to confer this prestigious honour to you, the jury acknowledges the stellar role you have played in highlighting the gross denial of fundamental rights and freedom of religion in the Kandhamal jungles of Orissa,” ICOM added.
Akkara who as South Asia correspondent for several international news agencies, including Catholic News Service and Catholic World News, has written on topics such as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and, afterward, church efforts to help the displaced; human rights violations in Sri Lanka; and flooding in Pakistan. Akkara who has won several media awards for his investigative book “Kandhamal: A Blot on Indian Secularism,” following the anti-Christian violence in Kandhamal in August 2008. His latest book on Kandhamal, “Early Christians of 21st Century,” was released in February. He has a master’s degree in English literature, post-graduate diploma in journalism and LL.B from Delhi University.