Deadline: 10 September 2024
The Europe Foundation is pleased to announce an open call for Georgia Shining Light Awards to honor and promote the outstanding achievements of Georgia’s investigative journalists who often work in hostile environments to unearth difficult issues, no matter who may be involved in them.
Europe Foundation continues to support civic monitoring and advocacy efforts for more accountable, transparent, and needs-based public policymaking in Georgia. As part of its Watchdog Journalism for Change initiative, the Foundation established a Georgia Shining Lights Awards.
This competition, which shares the principles of the Global Shining Light Award, a biennial competition of the Global Investigative Journalism Network, is seeking to acknowledge the work of those journalists and media outlets that have exposed uncomfortable truths; promoted broader societal efforts to seek accountability; or led to other tangible positive changes for citizens of Georgia.
Free and independent media plays a major role in the development of any stable democracy. Despite some gains in strengthening the media sector and journalistic skills in Georgia, progress is patchy and characterized by state efforts to reign in the media. At present, the media landscape is extremely polarized as owners often control editorial content and the authorities interfere in the operations of media outlets through formal and informal leverages.
Award Information
- The winners will be announced no later than October 15, 2024.
- The grand prize will be awarded for the investigative story that led to substantial positive change on a local or national level.
- Winners will be invited to select the type of prize that best fits their professional needs. Examples include a study tour to leading international newsroom or an advanced course to learn about the latest media trends and tips to deliver quality investigative journalism on all platforms, purchase of software or equipment, professional membership fees, etc.
Who can apply?
- Journalists and media outlets are eligible to apply in all journalism forms (print, online, radio, and TV) published or broadcast in Georgia, in Georgian, minority or international languages. Stories eligible for submission must appear in print, online, radio or TV media outlets during the period September 30, 2023 – September 1, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
- Journalists, teams of journalists and/or media outlets provide independent investigative reporting which:
- Originates in Georgia and focuses on the challenges of democratic governance;
- Uncovers an issue or issues that gravely affected the common good;
- Was broadcast or published between September 30, 2023 – September 1, 2024;
- Had a potential to lead to broader societal campaign to address the problems uncovered.
For more information, visit Europe Foundation.
