United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has opened nomination for UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Press Freedom Prize 2013.

UNESCO invites Member States as well as regional and international organisations and professional and non-governmental organisations working in the field of journalism and freedom of expression, to nominate candidates for the 2013 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.

This was contained in a statement by UNESCO made available to the Ghana News Agency over the weekend.

The prize, which is in honour of Guillermo Cano Isaza, an assassinated Colombian Journalist is intended to honour a person, organisation or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger.

It is intended to reward journalists who have shown dedication in the name of freedom of expression and information, and to afford them the international recognition they deserve.

The annual Prize is marked by a ceremony and the winner is presented with the sum of $25,000.

This year’s prize would be awarded on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, on May 3.

The statement said nominations for the Prize should be submitted by filling out the form in English or French and sending it before February 2013 by post or by email to: UNESCO, Division of Freedom of Expression and Media Development, Paris, France.