Mr. Jameel received the award for his unbiased coverage as a journalist working for the BBC and Reuters of the strife in Kashmir despite intimidation and attacks from various parties. He repeatedly asserted that he wants to see that the truth prevails. He pointed out that Kashmiri journalists have been criticized in the past for not reporting the news objectively so this award is in recognition of their efforts to ensure that the press is free.

Mr. Jameel briefly discussed his experience as a journalist, being arrested by the army, being beaten up by various parties, having grenades thrown at his office and his home. He talked about an incident last year that changed his life forever. On September 7, 1995, a letter bomb intended for him was opened by a colleague, cameraman Mushtaq Ali, who was killed instantly. After sustaining injuries for which he was treated in London, Jameel returned to India. He now shuttles between Delhi and Srinagar for The Asian Age, a relatively new newspaper run by M.J. Akbar, former editor of Calcutta's Telegraph.

Mr. Jameel reinforced the importance of allowing the press to work freely and complained about the Public Safety Act, which allows the government to detain, without liability, anyone for up to two years, a policy which he feels is used mainly against militants and journalists. He also complained about the pressures put on him by the militants and their supporters. "We want no interference at all by the government or the militants"

"Kashmiris want peace," he said, "but don't know how to achieve this. Guns are not the answer to the problem." The solution must come through peaceful means and involve all parties: the militants, the Indian government and the Pakistani government." Regarding Farooq Abdullah, chief minister of Kashmir, he said that one must wait to see if he can implement his policies.

In response to a question on what the possible scenarios are for the future of the Valley, he replied that this was a complicated question and that all parties must mediate. Many are unsatisfied with the current situation, he pointed out, and the press's role is limited. In India, "the national interest comes first and then the news." Asked how the situation is for women in Kashmir, he stated that "they are well off. In Srinagar, there are less women in burka than earlier."

Mr. Jameel repeatedly asserted that he is not a politician, and avoided answering questions that were not related to his profession.