MediaWise director Mike Jempson has been awarded the title of Visiting Professor in Media Ethics from the University of Lincoln Faculty of Media and Humanities.

The award is made to an individual whose association with the university department "will provide the highest possible source of advice and wise counsel to that discipline nationally and internationally".

Professor Jempson said: "This is an unexpected and very pleasing honour. It is gratifying to know that the work done by MediaWise over the last 13 years has won such recognition from a university department whose staff place a premium on ethical journalism."

The award comes as the university launches a new prize, the Munton Medallion, to encourage students to show an ethical understanding in their personal lives and relationships.

Students from the university and Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, USA, have been invited to submit a piece on the subject, and the winning author will receive the Medallion itself, a scroll of recognition, £1,000 and a visit to the partner university.

Former East London Advertiser reporter Mike has trained journalists in more than 25 countries, working mostly with UN agencies and the International Federation of Journalists, and tackles media ethics issues concerning coverage of children, health, suicide and minorities in his work with charity MediaWise.

For information about the Munton Medallion, visit http://themuntonmedallion.lincoln.ac.uk