2024-11-21 20:00:00
The Prelate Leopold Ungar Journalist Prize was awarded for the 21st time on Thursday evening. The prize, which is awarded by the Caritas Archdiocese of Vienna and Raiffeisen NÖ-Wien in honor of Prelate Leopold Ungar’s life’s work, was awarded in the Brunnenpassage in Vienna’s Ottakring. At 20,000 euros, it is one of the most richly endowed journalism prizes in the country. This year too, the selection of the award-winning works was carried out by an independent jury – consisting of Andrea Puschl-Schliefnig, Ingrid Brodnig, Cornelia Krebs, Irene Brickner, Sahel Zarinfard, Edith Meinhart and Matthias Däuble. Caritas director Klaus Schwertner congratulated the award winners in his welcome: “Quality journalism is coming under massive pressure in more and more liberal democracies – politically, economically and through disruptive platforms from large digital companies. Independent and critical journalism is more important than ever in a world characterized by war, economic crises and social polarization. Right now it is crucial to strengthen journalism that classifies facts and exposes propaganda and lies, promotes dialogue and gives a voice to those who do not have a strong lobby. The journalists receiving awards today show how essential it is to give social issues sufficient attention and space and to make people in need visible. Congratulations on this important work! Our thanks also go to Raiffeisen NÖ-Wien for their long-standing cooperation.” Claudia SüssenbacherManaging Director of Raiffeisen-Holding NÖ-Wien, emphasized at the beginning of the event: “It is particularly important to us to once again support Caritas in awarding the Prelate Leopold Ungar Prize. The award winners have given people a voice that would otherwise remain unheard. A significant social contribution was made here – not as a wagging finger, but more as a mirror. Critical reporting requires a high level of professionalism, courage and empathy. These qualities have been demonstrated with impressive contributions far from the mainstream.”
Daniela KrausGeneral Secretary of the Concordia Press Club, emphasized in her speech: “Journalism is under enormous pressure, but is more important than ever, especially in an increasingly polarized society. Because it shows us what’s happening outside our own bubble and that’s where we need to look.”
The main prize winners 2024
The main prize in the category Print is happening this year Daniela Krenn for the work “On life in the minimum income”, which was published in the weekly newspaper Falter has appeared. “A characteristic of good journalism is to take up emotional current political discussions in order to frame the issue at hand – to make it more understandable through narrative and facts. (…) With her clearly written text, which offers readers insights into everyday family life, Daniela Krenn allows a look beyond the horizon limited by political calculations and feelings of envy. “For her current and important report, she will receive the Prelate Leopold Ungar Journalist Prize 2024 in the print category,” said the jury. The main prize in the category TV starts this year Andrea Eder for “Caring Children” for ORF Religion. The jury found: “Andrea Eder spent a year building trust with several families before filming. In front of the camera, children, young people and the fathers and mothers affected talk about their lives in a very touching way. The Young Carers impress: they are reflective, they speak openly about ups and downs and the naturalness of their care work. Andrea Eder, who has been committed to social and health policy issues for years, has highlighted a taboo topic. (…) The 35-minute film is characterized by professional design and very sensitive use of music. Congratulations on the main prize in the television category!” The main prize in the category Online/Multimedia This year went to the freelance journalist Johannes Greß for the research “The dirty business of cleaning”, which was published in the Wiener Zeitung Online has appeared. The jury judges: “Digital platforms in particular can be used to enable even more insecure and exploitative jobs. (…) Johannes Greß’s research suggests that we urgently need to deal with these new, digitally mediated cleaners – because conditions can become even worse in an already often poorly paid profession. And for this work he earned the Leopold Ungar Prize in the Online category.” In the category Radio The report “Of Guilt in the Wrong Shoes” was published by Miriam Steiner excellent. It was sent in the format that has since been discontinued Ö1 series “Moment on Sunday”. The jury’s statement: “In her program ‘Of Guilt in the Wrong Shoes – The Story of a Perpetrator-Victim Reversal’, Miriam Steiner describes, on the one hand, the case of a municipal employee from the Upper Austrian province who was harassed and raped by a mayor for years. As a result, the local public often accused her of lying and publicly defamed and slandered her. On the other hand, Steiner examines the problem of the perpetrator-victim reversal comprehensively and from numerous perspectives beyond the specific case, thereby showing that these are not isolated cases. (…) Miriam Steiner’s show shows that we as a society still have a long way to go.”
The 2024 recognition award winners
This year the recognition award was in the print category Thomas Winkelmüller (“In the spectrum, out of the system” for the monthly magazine Date). In the TV category Andrea Kandioler-Kiml (“Ukrainians in Austria” for ZiB Wissen, “Integration Refugees” for Focus Europe and “Family Reunification” for ZiB 1) were awarded a recognition prize. Robert Bogic (TV series “Greetings from Prison” for Café LG) was awarded a recognition prize in the radio category. There was no recognition award in the Online/Multimedia category.
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How can awards like the Prelate Leopold Ungar Prize impact the sustainability of independent journalism?
**Interview with Klaus Schwertner, Director of Caritas**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Klaus. The Prelate Leopold Ungar Journalist Prize was awarded this past Thursday, marking its 21st edition. What makes this prize special in today’s journalistic landscape?
**Klaus Schwertner:** Thank you for having me. This prize is significant because it honors not only the memory of Prelate Leopold Ungar but also the vital role quality journalism plays in a rapidly changing society. In times where independent journalism faces increasing pressures from various fronts—political, economic, and even from social media platforms—this award highlights the importance of voices that bring critical issues to light, especially those marginalized in our communities.
**Interviewer:** Indeed. The prize is quite generous at 20,000 euros. Why do you think financial backing for journalism awards is so important?
**Klaus Schwertner:** Financial support is crucial as it enables journalists to pursue in-depth research and storytelling, free from the constraints that often come with commercial pressures. By providing substantial backing, we can encourage more investigative work that focuses on societal challenges, as the recipients of this prize exemplify. It’s about empowering those who are willing to tackle tough subjects and provide a voice for the unheard.
**Interviewer:** We’ve seen notable winners this year, such as Daniela Krenn for her report on minimum income and Andrea Eder for “Caring Children.” What do you believe sets their work apart?
**Klaus Schwertner:** Both Daniela and Andrea have demonstrated exceptional journalistic integrity by addressing poignant social issues. Daniela’s piece offers an emotional and informed perspective that goes beyond political rhetoric, allowing readers to connect with real-life stories. Andrea’s work highlights the experiences of young caregivers, a group often overlooked. They both showcase how impactful journalism can inspire empathy and understanding in society.
**Interviewer:** There seems to be a consensus on the pressure journalism faces today. How can organizations like Caritas support a healthier journalistic environment?
**Klaus Schwertner:** Caritas is committed to fostering dialog and providing platforms for critical journalism. By collaborating with media entities and supporting initiatives that elevate social issues, we can help ensure that essential truths are not just told but heard. We also encourage journalists to pursue stories with courage and compassion, highlighting the importance of viewership that goes beyond entertainment.
**Interviewer:** In your welcoming remarks, you emphasized the need for independent journalism. What initiatives are in place to nurture this independence?
**Klaus Schwertner:** We partner with various organizations to create workshops and programs aimed at strengthening journalistic skills, focusing particularly on ethics and integrity. Additionally, we advocate for transparency in funding and media ownership, as these factors can heavily influence journalistic independence. Ensuring that reporters can work freely without external pressures is essential for a robust democracy.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Klaus. It’s clear that the Prelate Leopold Ungar Prize not only celebrates achievements but also reflects the ongoing challenges and responsibilities within journalism today.
**Klaus Schwertner:** Thank you for the opportunity to speak on this important subject. We must continue to champion the values of independent journalism to foster a more informed and engaged society.