Despite the increasingly alarming attacks on the media and press freedom worldwide, great journalism still abounds. From digital startups to multi-platform broadcasters, a number of MDIF clients have been presented with awards and honours in recognition of the quality and importance of their reporting so far this year. As of September 2018, we had recorded at least 22 different prizes and professional recognitions received by our clients since the beginning of the year.
In the Balkans, the Executive Director of Montenegrin television station TV Vijesti was one the laureates of “The Best Manager in Montenegro” that promotes successful business women and strengthens the participation of women in management and leadership positions. Across the border, independent broadcaster RTV21 was awarded the Presidential Medal, one of Kosovo’s highest honours, for its contribution to the cause of freedom and independence and for being the voice of Kosovo over the past decade.
In Central and Eastern Europe, for the fourth year in a row, journalists of business and economics news website Liga scooped awards at the prestigious PRESSZVANIE Awards, which recognise the best business journalists in Ukraine. Meanwhile, three projects run by Polish media group Agora, publisher of Gazeta Wyborcza, were among the finalists for the INMA Global Media Awards 2018 that reward innovation in audience, revenue and brand development.
In Asia, four journalists of the Indian news website Scroll were distinguished by RedInk Awards for Excellence in Journalism handed out by the Mumbai Press Club, taking awards in 4 out of 13 competitive categories. Additionally, two visualisation projects created by the online media organization Malaysiakini made it onto the shortlist of the Data Journalism Awards, which recognise outstanding data-driven journalism from all over the world.
In Africa, for the fifth year in a row, journalists of the weekly Mail & Guardian were honoured with prizes at the Sikuvile Journalism Awards, South Africa’s leading awards for excellence in journalism. Three journalists of Zimbabwe’s media group Alpha Media Holdings received Gender and Media Awards.
In Latin America, a columnist of Chilean publication El Mostrador won the Lenka Franulic Prize, an award that celebrates women journalists and is named after the first Chilean female reporter, while El Mostrador’s editorial advisor was recognised with coveted Journalism of Excellence Award.