For outstanding reporting by a Russian journalist who displays courage, insight, and independence of thought
AWARD YEAR: 2007
AWARD NAME: The Artyom Borovik Award 2007
RECIPIENT: Aleksei Venediktov
AFFILIATION: Ekho Moskvi
HONORED WORK: “Radio Reports on Politics and Culture”
Aleksei Venediktov is one of Russia’s best known journalists and a staunch defender of free speech. He serves as editor-in-chief of the national radio station Echo of Moscow (Ekho Moskvi), and as the host of several of its programs. The station is one of the few in Russia that provides independent news and openly criticizes government officials and policy. Venediktov can often be heard on the air, posing the hard questions that few others dare to ask. Ekho Moskvi as an organization and Venediktov as a person represent everything that Artyom Borovik stood for in his short life — courage, boldness and the importance of questioning authority. Venediktov’s Ekho Moskvi is and has always been one of the few shining points in the very dark world of Russian media.
Citation for Excellence:
Yelena Yevgenyevna Penzina
ORTV Krasnoyarsk
“Prostitution and Corruption in Krasnoyarsk”