Per Hermanrud Nominated for the Daniel Pearl Awards

Foto: Magnus Bergström

Per Hermanrud, reporter for TV4's news program Kalla fakta (cold facts) has been named one of seven finalists for the Daniel Pearl Awards. He is nominated for his February 2009 investigative report on the production practices of the down industry and the treatment of the birds that provide the feathers.

Per Hermanrud's report competed against 85 entries from 40 countries. The winner will be announced on April 24 at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, ICIJ, a yearly conference held in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Daniel Pearl Awards are one of the most prestigious journalism awards in the world, recognizing investigative journalism that has an effect across national boundaries. 

Per Hermanrud's report revealed how the biggest down-producing countries collect down from birds that are plucked alive inhumanely, while consumers are kept in the dark about the methods. The report received a lot of attention in Sweden and other countries. Not only did it have a political impact within the EU, it also affected the ethical guidelines for companies that sell down products, including Ikea.

"It's a big honor for Per and Kalla fakta to be chosen as a finalist," says Johan Åsard, editorial director for Kalla fakta. "This is confirmation that we can produce journalism of the highest class."