Press Releases
Newstalk documentary maker nominated for International Award
30th May 2008
Reporter Louise Williams has been nominated in the UK's 2008 One World Media Awards for her Newstalk 106-108 fm documentary, 'EU El Dorado'.
The One World Media Awards 2008, which focus on the most outstanding coverage of the developing world over the previous year, will be awarded on 12th June in London. Channel 4’s Jon Snow will be hosting the event. "They are the awards the media really want to win,’ says Snow. ‘A unique set of awards that recognise commitment, originality and verve".
The documentary is on a shortlist of 3 in the category MDG (Millennium Development Goals). EU El Dorado was broadcast in December 2007 as part of the Newstalk 106-108 fm's documentary series, Different Voices. The documentary covers the most dangerous migratory passage in the world - the stretch of sea between West Africa and the Canary Islands; it's estimated that 1 in 5 migrants die trying to reach Europe's shores.
Louise Williams travels up the coast of West Africa to hear from young men who risk their lives on this perilous journey – one fisherman tells of throwing corpses overboard when his boat ran out of fuel at sea. Every year, tens of thousands of young men set out to try and reach 'El Dorado', as the EU is known there. But what is driving this dangerous migratory trend? The answer lies uncomfortably close to home – Irish and European super trawlers have massively depleted West Africa's fishing stocks and left traditional African fishermen with few options but to try their luck on this perilous journey to Europe.
Garrett Harte, Station Editor of Newstalk 106-108 fm, said: "We're delighted Louise has been nominated for this prestigious award. 'EU El Dorado' is a fine example of Louise’s great skill as a documentary maker. We wish her well in the One World Media Awards."
Louise Williams has worked in journalism for 12 years. She started her career in the Netherlands before heading to the Middle East to work as a correspondent. With a base in Jordan, she travelled the region, from Iran to Tel Aviv, Beirut to Gaza. Just after 9/11 Louise started working for BBC radio with BBC 5 Live and BBC World Service. Louise currently works as an independent radio producer based in Dublin, with frequent assignments abroad. She also is a regular presenter on Newstalk 106-108 fm.
For more information on the One World Media Awards – visit www.owbt.org.
