卓越新聞獎基金會是為了肯定和獎勵優秀新聞記者而成立的。

新聞記者此一專業的特殊性,在於一個記者不論隸屬於哪個媒體,或擅長哪種路線,都應該是秉持報導事實真相、維護社會公益的前提去進行每日的新聞工作。記者不該只是一種謀生的職業,它頂著民主社會第四權的冠冕,又揭櫫言論自由的崇高價值,再加上自主性極強的作業方式,讓記者行業經常充滿個人主義色彩,有時又帶一點英雄主義氣質。

相較於學者專注與知識體系對話,記者較了解如何與社會大眾溝通。又由於經常站在重大事件的現場,他們必須目睹真相,見證歷史。在他們深入淺出、肌理生動的筆觸下,影響人類歷史的重大事件或關鍵人物,乃躍然紙上,栩栩如眞。無怪乎在許多西方國家,最受歡迎的歷史人物傳記,往往出自於有新聞工作背景者之手。

當前台灣的媒體環境實在令人很不滿意,不但有過於追逐市場、短視近利的經營心態,又缺少身為社會公器的組織自覺。一些優秀的新聞從業人員,在一開始有著滿腔熱情,却囿於大環境,終究無法施展抱負,而挫折失望。

卓越新聞獎書系的出版計畫,就是為了鼓勵那些有志新聞專業,始終不放棄理想的傑出的資深記者,能將多年來在工作中的見聞和心得,經有系統的分析、整理後,以專書出現。這一書系目的一則是要彌補報紙、雜誌或因篇幅有限,或因市場考量,所造成的題材限制;二則強調對特具意義的議題能有論述、剖析的深度與廣度。

此外,我們也希望引介國外優秀的新聞作品,讓他山之石做為本土借鏡,透過精良的譯筆,讓國內實務新聞工作者,及有志入行的傳播科系學生,也能有見賢思齊的機會。

今日的新聞,有可能是明日的歷史。新聞記者想做第一線的歷史紀錄者,其工作品質的良窳,乃直接影響公眾耳目的清暗和善惡判斷。如果此一書系的出版,對台灣記者的專業品質、工作經驗累積、與工作成果發表能有貢獻,那我們的努力便沒有白費。

The Excellent Journalism Award’s Program to Encourage Journalists to Publish

The uniqueness of journalism is that, regardless of the affiliated media or field of specialization, a journalist performs his everyday duty focused on truth in reporting and the safeguard of public interest. Journalism should never be merely a means of livelihood, for it is highly regarded as the Fourth Estate in a democratic society and exemplifies the value of freedom of speech. The compellingly autonomous working style of journalists imbues journalism with plentiful individualism. Sometimes, the profession even entails a bit of heroism.

While scholars focus on dialog with the knowledgeable, journalists are more skilled in communicating with the general public. Often present on site during major events, journalists get to witness truth and history in the making. Because of the journalists’ engaging composition, major events or key personalities that impact the course of history can be presented with realistic articulation in print. In many countries, the most popular biographies of historical personalities are written by authors with background in journalism.

The Book Publishing Program of the Excellent Journalism Award aims to encourage ambitious, idealistic, and outstanding senior journalists to analyze, compile, and publish books from their years of professional experiences and knowledge. This series of books aims to compensate for the limitations of newspaper, magazines, printable space, or market considerations. The book series also aims to stress the importance of bringing depth and breadth in the discussion and analysis of particularly significant issues.

In addition, we hope to be able to translate and introduce quality foreign journalism into Taiwan. The translated works will afford local journalists and aspiring journalism students the opportunity to emulate the best. Today’s news could become tomorrow’s history. For a journalist who records history at the frontline, the quality of his work directly affects the perception and judgment of the general public. If the publication of this series of books could be of benefit to the professionalism, accumulation of work experience, and dissemination of the accomplishments of local journalists, our efforts will not be in vain.