Entries Open for Fetisov Journalism Award (FJA)

Deadline: 01-Aug-20

Entries are now open for the Fetisov Journalism Award (FJA) to promote universal human values such as honesty, justice, courage and nobility through the example of outstanding journalists from all over the world as their dedicated service and commitment contribute to changing the world for the better.

Goals

Promotion of contemporary journalism as a unique profession that contributes to transforming the lives of individuals, communities and the world as a whole
Spreading the word about inspiring deeds of the award nominees and winners
Bringing journalists together as a community of like-minded people willing to raise journalism to an entirely new level and to meet new demands

Objectives

Organization of annual global contests for journalists in order to distinguish the works of those who bring up hot-button issues and have widespread impact
Rewarding outstanding journalists with major money prizes for their dedicated work
Helping nominees and winners to achieve greater visibility by publishing their works on the website of the contest and in printed media

Categories

Outstanding Contribution to Peace: A publication or a series of publications on anti-war topics are accepted in this category of the contest. These are publications that have made an important contribution to the peacemaking process and to spreading the concept of human life as the highest value. Nominated publications should focus on issues of international disarmament, reduction or ending of national and international conflicts, support of national and international peacekeeping communities, etc. Publications should contribute to conflict prevention and resolution, cessation of hostilities, prevention of damage to civilians.
Contribution to Civil Rights: A publication or a series of publications that made an important contribution to promotion of civil rights (right to life and personal integrity, freedom of expression, thought and religion, right to honor, good name and reputation, etc.) are accepted in this category of the contest. Publications should contribute to strengthening the idea of social value of individual freedom and showing respect towards the rights and freedoms of each individual.
Outstanding Investigative Reporting: Authors of investigative reports or a series of reports are nominees in this category. Publications containing the following materials are accepted for participation in this category:
- a description and analysis of journalist’s own investigation of actions or events related to power struggle, violation of law, or those causing damage to a particular community or the country as a whole;
- a description and analysis of journalist’s own investigation of actions or events that caused damage to a single enterprise, industry or the economy of the country as a whole.
Excellence in Environmental Journalism: Nominated publications in this category should contribute to raising public awareness of environmental issues such as air and water pollution, pollution prevention, global warming and climate change, chemical weapons, waste management, ozone depletion, sustainable living, population growth, etc. Social, political or economic consequences of publications such as wide public resonance, crime investigation, juridical procedures, changes in legislation serve as an essential prerequisite for nomination in this category.

Award Information

The total prize fund is 520,000 CHF. Three winners in each category share a monetary prize of 130,000 CHF (including taxes, as stipulated by the legislation in force):

The first prize winner receives 100,000 CHF.
The second prize winner receives 20,000 CHF.
The third prize winner receives 10,000 CHF.

Application Procedure

Entries are open to professional journalists, i.e. representatives of the media, professional journalism organizations (unions/associations/societies) and freelance journalists.
Self-nominations are allowed.
Maximum of 3 (three) journalists from one journalism organization/media platform can be nominated for participation in the contest.
The submission form may be filled out by a representative of a registered organization nominating another journalist or by a nominee. Information must be provided in English.
One entry (one reporting or a series of reportings) from one person is accepted.
Publications (stories/articles/reportings) participating in the contest must have been published in printed media (newspapers/magazines/journals) and/or posted on media websites/outlets from June 1st, 2019 to May 31st, 2020.
The word restriction for the submitted publications is 20,000 words.
Films, videos and audio recordings as separate pieces of work are not accepted for the contest.
One publication must be attached to the application form in accordance with the instructions on the website. If a series of publications on one subject are submitted for the contest they must be sent in one file. The attached file must be in PDF format and must not exceed 10 Mb.
A signed scanned copy of the author’s consent to participate in the contest must be attached to the application form if the application is submitted by the third person.
If a nominated publication was created by a team of authors each of the authors must sign a letter of consent. A letter of consent (or several letters scanned in one file) should be attached to the application form and submitted via the website.