Amnesty International UK Media Awards 2000

The 9th was held at BAFTA(British Academy of Film and Television Arts) on 22 June 2000. The host was Michael Mansfield QC.

2000 saw the introduction of a new award, the "Global Award for Human Rights Journalism" for an outstanding article in the written media anywhere in the world.

In total there were 8 awards: Global Award for Human Rights Journalism, National Print, Periodicals, Photojournalism, Radio, Special Award for Human Rights Journalism Under Threat, Television Documentary and Television News. Kate Allen, Director of Amnesty International UK said: "These awards recognise the important role of the media in exposing violations, as well as telling the inspiring stories of people struggling against the odds to realise human rights."

The "Special Award for Human Rights Journalism Under Threat" was presented to Ignacio Gómez for his high-risk reporting on organized crime, corruption, and paramilitary groups.

The inaugural "Global Award for Human Rights Journalism" was presented to Palagummi Sainath for his work in The Hindu newspaper "A dalit goes to court". Sainath showed in great detail the unconstitutional and systemic human rights abuse against over 170 Million dalits, the manifestation of rape culture in India, how dalit (lower caste) women were denied human rights and access to justice. He showed how access to the legal systems was blocked with victims made to pay "Two hundred and twenty rupees entry fee", to enter the police station to lodge a criminal report - First Information Report (FIR). Sainath's work showed how the status, poverty and education combinations empowered exploitation and institutional failure. A most telling comment was "All the judges of the Supreme Court do not have the power of a single police constable".

The Judges in all categories were Nick Clarke, Daljit Dhaliwal, Mark Lattimer, Francine Stock, Greg Whitmore, and Peter Wilby.