The “Article 3: Journalists for Rights” awards marked its third consecutive year.
On December 10, International Human Rights Day, the “Article 3: Journalists for Rights” annual awards ceremony was held for the third consecutive year. The main goal of the awards is to promote the coverage of human rights, enhance the quality of articles on human rights issues, and root sensitive and correct approaches in revealing problems. The program is supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Council of Europe in Armenia.
This year, 22 awards were presented, including not only cash prizes for the main categories but also special awards presented by the President of the Constitutional Court of Armenia Arman Dilanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia Anahit Manasyan, the UN Women, the UN HIV/AIDS program office, the UN Population Fund, and the UN Global Communications Office.
Main Award Winners
In the Best Radio Show/Podcast category, the winner was Narine Ghalechyan (Azatutyun Radio) for her piece, “A Student in Gegharkunik Was Subjected to Abuse for Being ‘Small-Built, Having Curly Hair, and Excelling in Studies.'” The award was presented by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Armenia, H.E. Marieke Monnoyeur-Winter, who highlighted the importance of journalistic sensitivity and professional work. The main award included a cash prize of 430,000 AMD (including taxes).
In the Best Video/Film/Photograph category, the winner was Roza Vardanyan (Factor TV) for her article, “4 Years in Prison for a Murder Not Committed: Due to the Miscarriage of Justice, Armenia Has Paid 300 Million AMD in Compensation.” The award was presented by Maxim Longangen, Head of the Council of Europe’s Office in Armenia, who emphasized that the journalistic work raised an important issue and fully deserved recognition. Maxim Longangen also urged journalists not to give up and to remain committed to human rights protection and quality journalism. The main award for this category included a cash prize of 430,000 AMD (including taxes).
In the Best Print/Online Article category, the main award was presented to Milena Khachikyan (Infocom) for her article, “The Secret Formula for Evaluating Functionality: People with Disabilities Are Dissatisfied with the Reformed System.” The award was presented by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic in Armenia, H.E. Petr Pirunčík. The main award for this category included a cash prize of 430,000 AMD (including taxes).
In the same category, the second place was awarded to Astghik Karapetyan (evnreport.com) for her article, “Motherhood Behind Bars.” The award was presented by human rights defender Zaruhi Hovhannisyan. The second-place cash prize amounted to 300,000 AMD (including taxes).
Special Awards
For the third consecutive year, a special award is given in honor of the efforts to protect human rights through journalism, presented in the name of the President of the Constitutional Court of Armenia Arman Dilanyan. This year, the award was presented by the Court’s press secretary Kristine Melikonyan to Hasmik Sargsyan (Iravaban.net) for her series, “The Second Artsakh War: The Survivors and Those Who Kept Them Alive.”
Kristine Melikonyan emphasized that this series was particularly appreciated not only for its quality journalism about the heroes of Artsakh but also for its hopeful and optimistic message, which is considered a vital part of communication in the context of human rights protection.
Special Awards by the UN
Special awards were also presented by the UN Armenia office to raise awareness about the importance of human rights.
François Jacob, Head of the UN Armenia Office, presented a special award to Medialab for its professional and sensitive coverage of human rights.
Lusine Sargsyan, representative of the UN Population Fund, awarded journalists Lusine Hakobyan and Seda Grigoryan for their article in Hetq, as well as Astghik Karapetyan for her article in EVN Report.
Armine Petrosyan, representative of the UN Global Communications Office, presented a special award to Hasmik Smbatyan, a journalist at Azatutyun Radio.
Zaruhi Tonoyan, a representative of the UN Women, awarded Sona Martirosyan for her article on mental health issues, and the article’s hero received financial support to continue her fight and story.
Roza Babayan, representative of the UN HIV/AIDS program office, encouraged Erik Hakobyan’s article, Narine Ghalechyan’s video, and Hasmik Balayan’s work for their consistent coverage of issues affecting people living with HIV/AIDS.
This award ceremony, initiated by the “For Equal Rights” Educational Center NGO, aims to promote the coverage of human rights, enhance the quality of journalistic materials, and root proper and sensitive approaches to reporting.