The “Regional Journalism Awards” of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation (KAS) have a long tradition both in Germany and the Czech Republic. With the aim of supporting pluralism and an open discussion, the awards have traditionally focused on the latest developments in politics, culture and civic society.

In 2009 the celebrated anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain shaped the topic for the awards. KAS, together with the weekly “Respekt” and the “permanent representation of the European Commission in the Czech Republic,” asked journalists from the regional media to take part in the awards by submitting articles that cover the theme “It has been 20 years, since…”

Having received numerous quality articles, the jury decided to award the first prize, a notebook, to Jan Nedved from Mlada Fronta Dnes in Plzen for his story “How an Indian Conquered the Fear of the Secret Police.” In addition to this, the top eight authors selected by the jury, were rewarded a trip to Brussels, where they had the opportunity to meet high representatives of their country to the EU, including Milena Vicenova, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the EU, or delegates of the Czech regions.

Please click here for the winning article : >> (in Czech).

The prize-giving ceremony was a two-day event, taking place on 27th and 28th November in Tabor. The program was divided into a ceremonial part with an expert-discussion about the development of journalism in the Czech Republic and workshops on various topics relevant to (regional) journalism.

The 2010 “Regional Journalism Awards” will focus on the best reportage from the regional media.