Gleb Fetisov: The Pressure On The Free Press Has Never Been Greater

June 15 21:32 2021

The organizing committee of the Fetisov Journalism Awards has announced the winners of the 2021 competition. The first international ceremony with the awards being presented in the four main categories took place in January 2020 in Lucerne, Switzerland.  Last year, 300 nominees from 77 countries vied for the prize. The current contest is the third creative competition among journalists from all over the world.

Gleb Gennadievich Fetisov: The award for those who write the truth

The award was initiated by the well-known Russian entrepreneur and economist Gleb Fetisov. As noted on the official website of the project, its goal is to “strengthen the role of journalism in society”, to advance the positions of those who are able to “bring to justice persons in power”.

“The pressure on the free press has never been greater.  Politicians and governments use journalists only as the servants of their own interests. Creativity, thought and truth are eradicated from this professionIn this situation, it is important to support journalists who are not afraid to express the truth and are ready to seek justice.  In the name of this sacred mission, this award was established,” – Fetisov explained.

Short biography. Gleb Gennadievich Fetisov was born in 1966 in the Moscow region, graduated with honors from the Faculty of Economics of Moscow State University.  He is known as the former head and shareholder of a number of the country’s largest industrial and investment structures (Achinsk Alumina Refinery, VimpelCom, Altimo). Doctor of Economics, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, member of the Federation Council (2001-2009), film producer and philanthropist.

The Fetisov Journalism Awards project was registered in Switzerland with the aim of ensuring maximum independence of the award and emphasizing its global nature.  But the main guarantee of the objectivity and independence of the contest is an international jury, the biography of each participant of which is related to journalism.  All jury members are recognized and well-known voices in the field of mass communications.

The jury of the Fetisov Awards includes the largest professional associations of journalists. Aidan White has led the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) for over a quarter of a century.  Christophe Deloire is the head of Reporters Without Borders (RSF).  Ricardo Gutierrez is the Secretary-General of the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ).  The jury includes such well-known professionals as “Global Shining Light” award winner Rana Ayyub from India and former AFP Editor-in-Chief Eric Wishart.  Eva Merkacheva, laureate of “the Golden Feather of Russia” award and “Iskra” national printed press award in the field of printing. Among the jury there are also representatives of research centers: Nikos Panagiotou, Professor of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication of the Aristotle University (Thessaloniki, Greece), and Barbara Trionf, head of the Vienna International Press Institute (IPI).

Gleb Gennadievich Fetisov: Investments in a better future

According to Barbara Trionfi, the Fetisov Journalism Awards makes a significant contribution to strengthening the consciousness of journalists and provides material assistance to those who have proven the ability to implement important journalistic investigations through their work.

A distinctive feature of the Fetisov Awards is the total sum awarded to the laureates, reaching 520 thousand Swiss francs. This is the largest award fund among similar projects in the field of mass media.  Gleb Fetisov considers these funds to be investments in a better future. The founding of this award is one of the high points in the biography of Gleb Gennadievich.

“Today, all journalists who are trying to speak the truth have a hard time.  But this is exactly what people expect from them, no matter what country they live in. People want to understand how this world works.  People ask questions and want truthful answers.  The prize is intended to help the contestants and all real journalists fulfill their professional duty,” – Fetisov emphasizes.

Media Contact
Company Name: FJA
Contact Person: Gleb Fetisov
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://fjawards.com

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