Last night Financial Times journalists Michael Peel and Ben Marino won the honour for Environment Story of the Year at the Foreign Press Association Awards (FPAs).
The pair were recognised for their article China and the rosewood carve-up, which identified the growing Chinese demand for red timbers and the resulting destruction of ancient forests in Southeast Asia.
The judges said the winning entry was a “very good, incredibly well researched story” which took readers on a journey to make them care about rosewood. The award was presented by Sandi Toksvig, OBE.
Michael Peel said: “We hope this award can help draw attention to how the pillage of Southeast Asia’s magnificent rosewood trees is fuelling environmental destruction, violence and corruption across the region. Many people are working bravely to document and combat this – and taking far bigger risks than we did.”
Ben Marino added: “My lasting impression of this story was the dedication of both private citizens and officials fighting the trade in rosewood, often against insurmountable odds.”
The FPA Media Awards recognise excellence in journalism and present an opportunity for British journalists to be celebrated and recognized on an international scale.
For more information about the awards and a list of the 2015 winners click here.
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For more information please contact:
Catherine Goacher
catherine.goacher@ft.com
+44 (0) 20 7873 4181
Kristina Erikson
kristina.eriksson@ft.com
+44 (0) 20 7873 4961