The Council of Europe organised the second edition of the Journalism Excellence Awards, aiming at honouring and promoting media contributions that avoids the stigma often faced by Roma and Travellers, while impartially capturing their human stories.
The jury awarded 5 applicants in the following categories:
- Award for Photojournalism
Tamás MÁRKOS for his "As If They Were Smiling". The photo material within the multimedia project documents the daily life of a Roma family and their agricultural entrepreneurship.
- Award for Investigative Journalism
Vasileios KATSARAS, who filmed the stories and the conditions of the local Roma residents in the second largest city in Greece.
- Best Interview Award
Simona JANÍKOVÁ, who presented the insights of Roma activist, Miroslav KLEMPAR, shedding light on school segregation in Czechia. Her work contributed to political change.
- The Young Journalist Award
Špela FERLIN, whose in-depth reporting from Slovakia’s Lunik IX area gave voice to the structural challenges Roma face daily.
- The Special Jury Award for Ukrainian Roma stories
During its deliberation, the Jury decided to modify the final category into Special Jury Award for Ukrainian Roma stories. This Special Jury Award goes to Mykola HOMANYUK for examining the impact of a stolen tank's media coverage on Ukrainian portrayal of Roma and Travellers.
Recognition comes through fairness, empathy, and depth in storytelling. This year’s winners have demonstrated a strong commitment to human rights and human dignity and deserve congratulations. The Roma and Travellers Division extends its appreciation to all participants and encourages them to continue their professional commitment to ethical journalism — and to consider applying in future editions.
The Awards ceremony will take place in Strasbourg on 18 June, on the margins of the No Hate Speech Week 2025.
