War reporter nominated for award posthumously
Journalist Marie Colvin, who died in February 2012 while reporting in Syria, has been given a posthumous nomination for the Orwell Prize for political writing.
The annual award is given to the book that most embodies George Orwell’s aspiration 'to make political writing into an art'.
Colvin’s book, ‘On the Front Line', was published in April last year – two months after her death.
Prize director, Jean Seaton stated that they are looking for 'writing that was measured and calm, not simply angry', when deciding on a winner.
'This year's judges started from Orwell's injunction, "My starting point is always a feeling of partisanship, a sense of injustice,"' said Seaton.
Colvin was originally from New York but worked in London for The Sunday Times newspaper as a foreign correspondent from 1985.
Seven book writers are nominated for the award, including previous winner Raja Shehadeh; former Bishop of Edinburgh, Richard Holloway; Indian novelist Pankaj Mishra; and British lawyer Clive Stafford.
The judging panel included author Nikita Lalwani; the assistant books editor of The Independent, Arifa Akbar; and Baroness Joan Bakewell.
The £3,000 prize will be handed out at an awards ceremony in London on May 15.
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