Ever since its inception, IPS has gained broad recognition among international organisations, policy makers and civil society as a global news agency committed to editorial independence, integrity of reporting and a clear focus on development issues. Our work has supported and inspired institutions and individuals alike in bringing about positive change and fostering dialogue and cooperation. There is no better credit for our efforts than the words of the many people who have come to value our work over those many years.
“I am convinced that I could not have attained even half of what this IPS International Achievement Award ascribes to me if it weren’t for the power of the press, and organisations like IPS in particular, to convey not only the U.N.’s exhaustively documented shortcomings, but also report on the organisation’s invaluable and transformative work.” Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, upon accepting the 2006 IPS International Achievement Award (Dec. 2006)- “The critical problems in this world demand a civic conversation and IPS may be seen as taking the high road of few serious media: smarting up rather than dumbing down, honoring impartiality and integrity, and helping to direct a flow of information based on the serious questions and issues of today.” School of Communication at the University of Washington, Annual evaluation of IPS (2006)
- “What we like about IPS news is that they provide alternative information - information from people whose voices are usually not reflected in mainstream news. Futher the news is often indepth in information as well as in its analysis.” Morung Express, India, from IPS User Survey (2007)
- “Let me assure you that we in the developing world really value IPS. In my Mission, especially it is required reading even before the New York Times or the UN documents, especially the section on the Grapevine, which provides much useful information about this organization we call the United Nations.” Ambassador S.R. Insanally, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, upon accepting the IPS International Achievement Award (Oct. 1999)
Positive feedback on our work also flows daily to our editors’ desks through the Letters to the Editor service. Our readers’ support - as well as constructive criticism - provides us an invaluable stimulus to keep growing in what we do. Below is a selection of the most significant comments made in recent months. For a complete overview of our readers’ opinions, please click here.
- “Thanks and full Credits to Amantha Perera, for an excellent write up. It is very difficult to find unbiased reporting on Srilankan affairs in Indian Media. Let’s hope it changes with this kind of ‘professional’ reporting which we the readers deserve.” Kana Siva (Sept. 2007)
- “I’m a Brazilian social scientist and I’m interested about environmental refugees. Can you talk and write more about it? And if you can, explain more about why the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees still no protects legally the environmental refugees.” Francine Modesto, Brazil (Sept. 2007)
- “I think this is one of the best pieces of information linking women and desertification I have come across. The issue described by the reporter is very vital and concerning. I would like to tender my appreciation to the reporter for choosing such hidden challenges and bring them to the readers.” Anil, ICIMOD / IFAD Partnership Programme, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal (Sept. 2006)
- “Thanks very much for this article. It counteracts so much of the “spin” on stratospheric ozone recovery here in the States which implies essentially that the ozone problem is over. Nothing can be further from the truth. My concern is that so little attention is being paid to the increased UVB radiation that will accompany this continued reduced ozone layer that by believing there is no problem very little attention will be paid to this ‘other half’ of the ozone layer problem.” Dr. Ed de Fabo, George Washington University Medical Center, USA (Sept. 2006)
- “I am deeply shocked at reading the above article - It sounds so similar to what people in Palestine are exposed to on a daily basis - and yet these real news are not brought to the people, by the western press of a democratic Britain. I am sure that if the people of this country and many other western countries were informed of the real human suffering in Iraq - Palestine - people would actually respond, people would actually want to help in some way. [ ... ] I am a grandmother and I deeply worry.” Helga Hayward, UK (Sept. 2006)
