Investigative Journalism Awards by Internews Armenia

In May, 2001, Internews had announced a competition of television stories of investigative journalism. The project is financed by USAID. The competition aimed at honoring journalists around Armenia who had produced high-quality investigative films, programs and reports.There were no restrictions concerning the topics. Individuals and shooting crews had the right to take part in the competition.

18 TV programs and reports broadcast from September 1, 2000 to September 1, 2001 by TV companies based in Armenia were submitted to the competition. A specially elected panel of competent experts watched the programs and evaluated them according to the quality of journalism, the objectivity and depth of the conducted investigation and other professional qualities of the presented works.The authors of three works were selected to be award-winners.

The following prizes are to be granted in the categories of TV programs and TV reports:TV programs, 1st prize, $ 1500 – “Secret of Minas,” Ara Shirinyan, Versus Studio, YerevanTV programs, 2nd prize, $ 900 – “Version. An Incident in Ararat,” Susan Simonyan, AR TV Company, YerevanTV report, 2nd prize, $ 300 – “School # 37,” Vagharshak Nakhshkaryan, “Tsayg” TV Company, GyumriIt was decided not to grant the first prize in the category of TV reports since none of the pieces obtained the majority of the votes of the panel members.The TV companies that have broadcast the award-winning stories will get computers as incentive prizes.

The ceremony of awarding the prizes took place on October 26, during a reception at Internews Armenia. At the same time, the guests met with the authors of the films produced by the Internews grants in the framework of the competition “Women of Armenia”. Films of the both competitions were viewed throughout the day.

TV programs, 1st prize, $ 1500 – “Secret of Minas,” Ara Shirinyan, Versus Studio, Yerevan

TV programs, 2nd prize, $ 900 – “Version. An Incident in Ararat,” Susan Simonyan,
“AR” TV Company, Yerevan

TV report, 2nd prize, $ 300 – “School # 37,” Vagharshak Nakhshkaryan,
“Tsayg” TV Company, Gyumri

It was decided not to grant the first prize in the category of TV reports since none of the pieces obtained the majority of the votes of the panel members. The TV companies that have broadcast the award-winning stories will get computers as incentive prizes. The ceremony of awarding the prizes took place on October 26, during a reception at Internews Armenia. At the same time, the guests met with the authors of the films produced by the Internews grants in the framework of the competition “Women of Armenia”. Films of the both competitions were viewed throughout the day.