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Winners of the EU Prize for Journalism 2023 are announced

The EU Prize for Journalism 2023  Award Ceremony was held on February 2, 2024. During the 12th edition of the EU Prize,  7 winners were awarded to at the annual event.

EU Ambassador in Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, awarded the winners in six categories. The winner of the EU Monitoring Mission’s (EUMM) special prize for peace journalism was awarded by Acting Head of the EUMM Mission in Georgia, Dr. Tibor Kozma.

EU Ambassador, Pawel Herczynski:

Today we are celebrating the 12th edition of the EU Prize to honour professionalism and ethical conduct in journalism. For all these years, it was truly remarkable to observe the diversity of topics and narratives that the authors presented in their journalistic works. 2023 was no exception. The journalists so skillfully highlighted the knowledge of key issues facing the Georgian society. I am very happy to see that quality – which we aim to promote through this Prize – continues to feature very strongly.

Head of the EUMM Mission in Georgia, Dr. Tibor Kozma

The EUMM is really happy to be the part of the EU Prize for Journalism for many years; We are glad to reward the media professionals who use their work to bring conflict-affected people together. This year we have received submissions also from Abkhaz, Ossetian as well as ethnic Armenian journalists from Tbilisi and across the regions. And not only by professional journalists, but also from bloggers, activists and students. I am proud that – at EUMM – we had a really hard job this year to decide on the winner and honourable mentions. This gives us hope that the desire for conflict resolution runs deep in the society.

The winners and finalists of the EU Prize for Journalism 2023 are:

  • Best story in print or online media: WINNER: Lana Kokaia (Radio Liberty)- winning entry
    Honourable mentions: Nastasia Arabuli (Radio Liberty); Ia Asatiani (ifact.ge)
  • Best feature story in broadcast or online media: WINNER: Sesili Botchoidze (Formula TV) – winning entry
    Honourable mentions: Tekla Targamadze (Formula TV); Tornike Mandaria (Radio Liberty)
  • Best investigative story / feature in print, online or broadcast media: WINNER: Giorgi Mgeladze (Radio Liberty) – winning entry
    Honourable mentions: Gela Mtivlishvili (Mtis Ambebi); Tamar Gelashvili (Liberty Monitor)
  • Best blog, opinion or column in print, online or broadcast media: WINNER : Mariam Natroshvili (Indigo) – winning entry
    Honourable mentions: Mariam Nikuradze (OC Media); Niko Gorgiladze (Publica)
  • Best documentary photo reflecting shared values: WINNER: Zurab Tsertsvadze (Agency France Press) – winning entry
    Honourable mentions: Tornike Mermanishvili(Chai Khana Media); Khatia   Nikabadze (Chai Khana Media); Aleksandre Keshelashvili(Publica)
  • Best Student work in print, online or broadcast media: WINNER: Anastasia Bakhturidze (Indigo) – winning entry
    Honourable mentions: Sopiko Gvelukashvili (Indigo); Giorgi Ekaladze (Platform “Tsertili”)
  • The EUMM Special Prize for Peace Journalism WINNER: Mamuka Kuparadze (Co-author Madina Gagloeva, Studio “RE”) – winning entry
    Honourable mentions: Mariam Kvavadze (TOK TV); Tatiana Beraia (Current Time); Kristine Marabyan (Jnews.ge)

No prize will be issued for the category of the most innovative and original piece of work in print, broadcast or online media due to non-compliance with the criteria.
The winners of the first seven categories will each receive a cash prize of approximately 5,200 GEL,  while the winner of the EUMM Special Prize will be awarded a one-month fellowship at the Institute of War and Peace Reporting in London. 

About the EU Prize for Journalism 2023

This year, 146 journalistic (photo) works published during November 30, 2022 – November 1, 2023 were submitted.
All entries were reviewed and assessed by a four-member jury, composed of local and international media professionals:

NICK TABATADZE, Media Innovation Specialist

Mr. Tabatadze brings a decade of media management and editorial experience, which includes the establishment of an influential and international award-winning news and current events television programme in Georgia. He worked in USAID’s media program as a media innovation specialist in 2022-23. During the course of his career he has also served as Evening News Anchor, News Director and General Director of award-winning national television network, Rustavi 2 (1999-2007). Mr Tabatadze also brings with him a wealth of public sector experience, having providing support to the Government of Georgia (GoG) in while he was the country’s First Deputy Foreign Minister. Mr. Tabatadze continues his work with media organizations, focusing on business innovation and management of relationships with regional and international partners.

Sophiko Megrelidze, Producer

Sophiko Megrelidze is a producer for the world’s leading information agency, the Associated Press; and is based in Tbilisi, covering news in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. She is currently overseeing Ukraine’s remote desk. Over the past 30  years during the course of her career with AP, Ms Megrelidze has produced breaking news and feature stories from  the region and beyond. Since 2016, she has been an invited lecturer at GIPA’s Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management, and a trainer for DW Academie.

Dato Gorgiladze, Journalist, writer

Dato Gorgiladze is a journalist and an expert in communications and public relations, as well as  media and new technologies. He hosted the author’s program ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Gorgiladze’ on the Georgian Public Broadcaster from 2021 – 2023, and also hosted morning programme. In 2018, he published a collection of his stories titled “God is at Work”, and has subsequently won several literary competitions. Furthermore, he is an invited lecturer at the Georgian State University and at the “Colabi,” where he leads the theoretical and practical course on “Storytelling”.

Levan Kherkheulidze, Professional Photographer

From 2012 until the present day, Levan Kherkheulidze has been a member of the Georgian Photographers Association. From 2005 – 2019, he was the photo editor at monthly titles ‘Liberali’ and ‘Tskheli Shokoladi’ (Hot Chocolate). He is the winner of the Journalists’ Competition Capital in the nomination of ‘Published Photos.’ And  has held many solo exhibitions both in Georgia and overseas.  Website: https://www.levankherkheulidze.com

More information about the Prize is available at https://eu4georgia.eu/euprizeforjournalism-rules/
Next edition of the EU Prize for Journalism will be announced on May 3, 2024.

For more information please contact:

Tamriko Mikadze, Press and Information Officerm Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, Tamriko.Mikadze@eeas.europa.eu
Salome Metskhvarishvili, Outreach and Media Relations Manager, EU4Georgia Project, sm@ntu.eu,  593 520 474