The Hong Kong Journalists Association presented a petition to Chinese President Jiang Zemin on the first anniversary of the takeover of Hong Kong which demanded the immediate release of jailed Chinese journalist Gao Yu. Gao Yu is a 1995 recipient of IWMF's Courage in Journalism award.
Entries take in all major newsmaking events and situations.
Prizes are awarded in nine categories. The World Press Photo of the Year carries a cash award and an invitation to Amsterdam to attend the annual award ceremony.