Other winners included Olga Romanova, a well-known Russian blogger, who covers the situation in prisons; Khadija Ismayilova, an Azerbaijani journalist, who writes about corruption in the higher echelons of power, particularly the presidential family; Valeri Karbalevitch, an independent Belarusian political observer and author of the book entitled “Alexander Lukashenko: Political Portrait”. The Fritt Ord Foundation’s Free Press in Russia-2012 Award was won by the Chechen magazine “Dosh” which highlights human rights and talks about what is actually happening in the Caucasus. The Gerd Bucerius “Free Press of Eastern Europe Award” has been awarded since 2000 to journalists and the mass media for neutrality, professionalism, quality of work, public activity and valour. The aim of the German and Norwegian foundations is to support journalists and media who, in spite of pressure from the authorities and economic
difficulties, tell the truth, not giving into censorship. “The situation of the mass media is cause for concern in many countries. Independent journalism in Eastern Europe continues to be subject to pressure and threats. Newspapers, magazines and internet platforms are being harassed by various means. However, democracy cannot develop without freedom of speech”, – explains Theo Sommer, Honorary Editor of Die Zeit and Head of the panel of judges of the Gerd Bucerius Award.
