Deadline: 17 February 2017
The Fritt Ord Foundation and the ZEIT-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius hereby invite nominations of journalists, bloggers, internet media and newspapers for the “2017 Free Media Awards”.
The Free Media Awards are awarded to journalists and media outlets from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The prizes provide support for journalists and media outlets that report independently and refuse to give up in the face of threats. The media operate under tremendous pressure in many countries in Eastern Europe. With the Free Media Awards, the foundation seeks to encourage journalists and media outlets to carry on their work, despite threats and violent oppression, and to contribute to strengthen independent journalism.
The ‘Free Media Awards’ is the new name for the Press Prizes awarded by the two foundations The Fritt Ord Foundation and the ZEIT Foundation. The press prizes are intended to support the independent role of journalists, who continue their word despite reprisals and financial difficulties.
Award Information
- The Free Media Awards prize amount per recipient is EUR 15 000.
- The prize laureates themselves decide how the money will be spent, as long as it benefits the individual newspaper or journalist. The Fritt Ord Foundation and the ZEIT Foundation have been awarding press prizes to media in Russia and Eastern Europe since 2004.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Free Media Awards are awarded to journalists and media outlets from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.
- The press prizes are earmarked for newspapers, Internet media and journalists from Russia, Belarus, the Ukraine, Georgia and South Caucasus. The foundations would like to express their support for newspapers and journalists in larger cities as well as for regional media aimed at strengthening the press in rural areas.
- The media outlets are to demonstrate broad editorial initiatives in at least three areas, one of which should be foreign policy. They should be able to demonstrate balanced coverage of political, cultural, economic and social affairs. They must show a commitment to democracy, international understanding and freedom of expression. The media outlets must have been publishing articles for at least one year, and be able to demonstrate a steady readership.
- The prize laureats are decided on the basis of nominations, which are then reviewed by an independent jury.
- Nominations should be accompanied by explanations of the reasons for the nominations, and newspaper or sample articles. Nominations must contain information about the publisher, editorial board, circulation statistics and the newspaper’s history, as well as an evaluation of the newspaper. A newspaper may not nominate itself.
How to Apply
Nominations should be sent at the address given website.
Eligible Countries: Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia
For more information, please visit 2017 Free Media Awards.