Sub-committee Chairman's message

Every year the SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence just gets better. In 2006, our eighth year, we tallied 457 entries from 83 publications across the region, up nearly 50% from last year. Indeed, we're getting to the point where we are in danger of outgrowing our current all-volunteer structure, one that relies on the goodwill of SOPA members.

The record number of entries reflects rising journalistic standards throughout Asia. Every year more and more publications want to be recognized for their editorial excellence and to benchmark their achievements against local and regional competitors. The SOPA Awards for Editorial Excellence have emerged as a key standard to measure how well the region's best magazines, newspapers and websites are doing their job.

The global media industry continues to be in the throes of extraordinary turmoil. But whatever else changes, the quality of the pictures we take and the articles we write will be central. By showcasing the best journalism in Asia, these awards help to uphold freedom of the press and to encourage journalists and editors to help communities remain informed about the key issues they face.

The Awards are the result of almost a full year of planning and co-ordination by dedicated volunteers and the SOPA Secretariat. I would like to thank all of those on the staff at the SOPA Secretariat, the editorial sub-committee members and the 85 judges who donated their time to ensuring the success of the 2006 Awards. Finally, I'd like to extend a special thanks to David Plott, the head of judges, who ensured that the judging process was conducted with the highest standards of journalistic integrity.

Mark L Clifford

Editorial Awards Sub-committee Chairman