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Winners of the “EU Prize for Journalism 2024” are announced

The 13th Award Ceremony of the EU Prize for Journalism 2024 was held on February 17, 2025. EU Ambassador in Georgia, Pawel Herczynski awarded the winners in seven categories.

EU Ambassador, Pawel Herczynski

“Today is not the time for celebration, yet it is precisely in moments like these that we must stand firm in our duty to honour and defend independent journalism. We are all witnessing the rapid and alarming deterioration of press freedom in Georgia. Journalists are being intimidated, beaten, and imprisoned. And for what crime? For sharing the truth. For being the voice of those who have been silenced. For exposing human rights violations. For acting as one of the pillars of democracy. This cannot be happening in a country that aspires to join the European Union”.

The winners and finalists of the EU Prize for Journalism 2024 are:

Best story in print or online media

Best feature story in broadcast or online media

Best investigative story / feature in print, online or broadcast media

Best blog, opinion or column in print, online or broadcast media

The most innovative and original piece of work in print, broadcast or online media

Best documentary photo reflecting EU values

Best Student work in print, online or broadcast media

  • Tamar Mchedlidze- OC Media (WINNER)
  • Saba Sordia – Indigo Magazine (Honourable mention)
  • Nana Kokhodze and Salome Giorgadze – Publika (Honourable mention)
  • Levan Abashidze – com (Special mention)

About the EU Prize for Journalism 2024:
This year, 115  journalistic (photo) works published during November 30, 2023- October 10, 2024  were submitted.

All entries were reviewed and assessed by a four-member jury, composed of local and international media professionals:

Ekaterine Basilaia is the founder and executive director of the Center for Media, Information, and Social Research. With nearly 15 years of experience in media research, she has both authored and contributed to a number of local and international studies on the media and information landscapes of Georgia and several countries in Eastern Europe. Ekaterine is a co-author of IREX’s Media Sustainability Index (MSI) and the Vibrant Information Barometer (VIBE), which assess the media and information environments in Georgia. In addition to her research contributions, Ekaterine serves as an Assistant Professor at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs and is a guest lecturer at Tbilisi State University, where she teaches courses on mass communications. She is also a member of the board of iFact, an investigative media outlet.

Ekaterine Togonidze – Journalist, writer. Author of 7 books. In 1999-2009, she worked as a presenter on Public Broadcasting of Georgia.  She has 15 years of experience in teaching journalism. In 2014-2020, she was the head of the Marketing Department at the Georgian-American University. In 2015-2019, she was a member of the Advisory Council for Monitoring, Promotion and Implementation of the Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities under the Public Defender of Georgia. Since 2015, she has been participating in cultural projects implemented within the framework of public diplomacy with the aim of restoring Georgian-Abkhazian relations. Her publications have been published in Georgian and foreign publications since 2012.

Ia Bersenadze – 25  years of experience in TV News reporting, A special correspondent of TV 6 in Georgia, A Head of Caucasus bureau of TV company RTR, Translator, Lecturer of TV News Reporting at Caucasus University, A personal development trainer.

Natela Grigalashvili – Natela Grigalashvili began her photography career over 30 years ago, initially working as a photojournalist for various media outlets in Georgia. With extensive experience, she transitioned to independent documentary photography more than a decade ago, dedicating herself to long-term projects that explore life in rural Georgia. Her work often focuses on ethnic and religious minorities, capturing the unique challenges and traditions of these communities. 

The jury had a consultative function while the final decisions were made by the EU Delegation in Georgia.

More information is available at https://eu4georgia.eu/euprizeforjournalism-rules/

Next edition of the EU Prize for Journalism will be announced on May 3, 2025.