Society of Journalists in BiH Awards Journalism Prizes and Recognitions

SARAJevo, (Patria) - The 24th "Journalist of the Year" event, organized by the Society of Journalists in BiH, was held in Sarajevo. The event was attended by a large number of journalists, editors, and guests from the political and public life of BiH. Awards were presented in five categories on World Press Freedom Day. The President of the Society of Journalists in BiH, Faruk Zupčević, stated that with this event, they aim to preserve the dignity of journalists in difficult times.

"The situation in the media is difficult. Journalists work in difficult conditions. The majority are on inadequate contracts, working under various pressures. Media freedoms are in constant decline, and we want to help the media preserve their dignity," said Zupčević. He also noted that journalists must take care of themselves and adhere to journalistic postulates and ethics. 

The "Journalist of the Year" award for 2018 was awarded by the jury to the Žurnal portal, whose journalists have uncovered several scandals in the past period. 

The award for TV journalism went to Arijana Saračević-Helać, a long-time journalist for Federal Television. The best in radio journalism is Vanja Iličić, a reporter for BH Radio 1, and the award for print journalism was received by Berislav Jurič, editor of the Bljesak.info portal and columnist for Al Jazeera Balkans. 

"We celebrate media freedom, but tomorrow we should be aware that we are not free. A thousand times I thought of giving up this job, a thousand times I returned to it. The future of journalism in BiH, or rather its future, is like any future, i.e., uncertain," said Jurič.

The lifetime achievement award was presented to Ahmed Bosnić, a journalist, travel writer, and adventurer. 

Special recognitions were awarded to journalist Elma Kazagić, author of the film about the murdered young man David Dragičević, titled "Dijete" (Child), and writer Martina Mlinarević-Sopta. 

The award recipients did not hide their happiness and expressed special gratitude because the awards were given by their colleagues. The Italian Ambassador, Nicola Minasi, also addressed the attendees, stating that he is "the son and brother of a journalist." He expressed admiration and respect for the journalism profession. He pointed out that there are a large number of media outlets in BiH, but he regrets that he rarely has the opportunity to see politicians confront each other. 

Certificates of appreciation for supporting the work of the Society of Journalists in BiH, as well as the media, and for organizing the event itself, were received by the OSCE Mission in BiH, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of BiH Denis Zvizdić, the Speaker of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly Elmedin Konaković, and the Mayor of Sarajevo Abdulah Skaka.