Miami (February 25, 2011)—Due to the enormous enthusiasm and participation by the public the Inter American Press Association (IAPA) announced today it is extending until March 15 the first round of voting in its song contest about impunity surrounding crimes against journalists.
This first round is for those who vote both for the original lyrics submitted in the event as for those performing them who have sent in their musical video on the theme “Lend Your Voice to the Voiceless.”
The IAPA has for the past 10 years been conducting a public campaign through more than 400 newspapers in the Western Hemisphere urging readers to sign a monthly letter in which the respective national president is asked to intervene so that offenses against news men and women do not go unpunished. This month members of the public have been signing such a note addressed to Colombia’s President Juan Manuel Santos.
To date 61 writers of original lyrics have submitted entries in the contest, while in the other category a total of 65 performers have entered their videos. The public can see and hear those vying for the $5,000 prize and at the same time vote once a day for their favorite by March 15, by going to the Web sites www.impunidad.com and www.donatuvoz.com.
The IAPA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the defense and promotion of freedom of the press and of expression in the Americas. It is made up of more than 1,300 print publications from throughout the Western Hemisphere and is based in Miami, Florida. The IAPA Impunity Project is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and has the mission of combating violence against journalists and lessening the impunity surrounding the majority of such crimes. For more information please go to http://www.sipiapa.org; http://www.impunidad.com
