DEADLINE: Breaking Borders Award

Google and Global Voices announce new awards to promote online free expression

[See http://www.breakingborders.net/ for more information]

Berlin, 28rd December 2009 - Google and Global Voices today announced the details of the "Breaking Borders Award" to honor those around the world who are fighting for free expression online. The award, totaling $30,000, will honor and support outstanding web projects, initiated by individuals or groups, that demonstrate courage, energy and resourcefulness in using the Internet to promote freedom of expression.

Nominations for the award can be submitted starting today at www.breakingborders.net, the submission phase will end on 15th of February 2010. The award will be given in three categories, with a USD $10,000 prize for each awardee.

1.
Advocacy, given to an activist or group that has used online tools to promote free expression or encourage political change
2.
Technology, given to an individual or group that has created an important tool that enables free expression and expands access to information
3.
Policy, given to a policy maker, government official or NGO leader who has made a notable contribution in the field

The winners are going to be announced and honored in spring 2010.

"Free societies and prosperity are fundamentally based on freedom of expression, both offline and online," said David Drummond, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief Legal Officer. "The internet is providing once unimaginable possibilities for political participation, free exchange of information and democratic movements around the world.

"These awards will honor those who are making a real difference," Drummond said. "We look forward to our partnership with Global Voices and appreciate the support of Thomson Reuters. All of us believe we must develop, support and encourage projects that use the Internet to promote free expression and open up new horizons to citizens everywhere."

"The Internet has emerged as a critical front in the freedom of expression movement worldwide," said Sami Ben Gharbia, Advocacy Director at Global Voices. "In our work at Global Voices we're consistently impressed with the creative ways activists and others are finding to promote freedom of expression online. We're thrilled to be associated with an award recognizing the innovation that's taking place in this area."

Nominations are open to individuals, groups or cooperative projects in any of the three categories. Participants can nominate themselves, as well as blogs, websites or other online presences. The nominees should have helped to promote the free circulation of ideas, stood up against censorship, helped local communities, raised awareness about a specific issue or cause, mobilized to change government policy or supported silenced voices.

Nominations -- which should include a biography of the individual or a description of the group and text and video content displaying the nominee's work (see below) -- can be submitted at the Breaking Borders website www.breakingborders.net. All nominations will be handled confidentially.

An international committee of experts, including representatives from the private sector and NGOs, will judge the nominees and determine the awards.

Citizens all over the world are also invited to share their voices and points of view on the Freedom of Expression @ Google YouTube-Channel at www.youtube.com/googlefreeexpression.

[See http://www.breakingborders.net/ for more information]

About Google
Google's innovative search technologies and web services connect millions of people around the world and allow them to express themselves every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top Web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall Web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

About Global Voices
Global Voices (GV) has emerged as the leading news room for citizen voices from the developing world. GV is a vibrant global community of hundreds of people, helping individuals, media professionals and the development community access the diverse sources of information coming from citizen media. It is also a platform for innovation in global citizen media, designing and launching original projects that advance access and rights to information about and from the developing world. For more information, go to www.globalvoicesonline.org.

About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: TRI) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TRI). For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.

Press Contacts

Google
Kay Oberbeck
Head of Communications & Public Affairs
Google Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Tel: +49 (0)40-80 817 9226
E-Mail: kayo@google.com

Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell
Managing Director
Tel: +1 868 681 6103
email: georgiap@globalvoicesonline.org

Thomson Reuters
Alex Honeysett
PR Specialist, Editorial, Reuters
Tel: +44 (0)20 7542 8509
E-Mail: Alexandra.Honeysett@thomsonreuters.com