STOP PRESS - NEW WRITING COMPETITION ANNOUNCED. CLICK ON THE COMPETITION PAGE FOR DETAILS. Our picture shows Mr Speaker Martin, who is Hon President of the Press Gallery, at a function in the Press Gallery. With him are veteran political journalist Chris Moncrieff and Chairman of the Press Gallery for 2007, Brian Shallcross. WINNER OF 2008 SPEAKER ABBOT AWARD ANNOUNCED Two overseas journalists are to be recognised for their outstanding journalism in the defence of democracy in spite of the threats to their lives. The House of Commons Speaker, Rt Hon Michael Martin MP and the Parliamentary Press Gallery have announced that the Speaker Abbot award for the promotion of parliamentary democracy is to be shared by Jonathan Paye-Layleh, a correspondent for the BBC World Service, and Michel Kilo of Reporters without Borders. Colin Brown, chairman of the Parliamentary Press Gallery said: “It is a humbling experience to see the dedication and daily courage of journalists such as Jonathan and Michael who risk their lives to get the news out from some of the most dangerous places in the world. “There were many fine examples from all over the world on the short list of candidates. This award is a small recognition of the sacrifice journalists are making every day to protect the freedoms that many of us take for granted – the freedom of speech, and the freedom to report it – which has cost some journalists their lives.” *************************************************** The Parliamentary Press Gallery Committee was formed in 1881 to safeguard the interests of parliamentary reporters and political correspondents at Westminster. The establishment of the Gallery, however, dates back to an Order of the Commons Speaker in 1803. TO READ OUR HISTORY IN DETAIL, CLICK HERE - http://www.thepressgallery.org.uk TO READ A COMPLETE LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PRESS GALLERY, CLICK HERE: http://www.thepressgallery.co.uk In 2003 the Parliamentary Press Gallery celebrated the 200th anniversary of that event in 1803. Its Bicentenary celebrations highlighted the long and distinguished role of Gallery journalists in the development of the United Kingdom's system of parliamentary democracy. During the year, The Gallery encouraged discussion and interest in democratic debate among young people, with an essay competition for school children, and to commend journalists worldwide who have upheld the values of parliamentary democracy through their work, the Gallery organised an international journalism award. (See Abbot Award) ****************************************** Journalists do not join the Parliamentary Press Gallery in their own right but as representatives of newspapers, news agencies, television and radio broadcasters, news magazines, internet publishers and the specialist press who sponsor their application for a House of Commons pass.