GERMANY, HAMBURG, Nov. 7 — Part of the team of Gwara Media, a Kharkiv-based media covering life and Russia’s war in Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, received the Free Media Award, a press prize from the Fritt Ord Foundation and the ZEIT Stiftung Bucerius. 

Free Media Awards are being awarded to six independent media outlets and journalists in eastern and central Europe in recognition of their valiant investigative journalism under exceedingly difficult circumstances, organizers say. 

Woman in white blouse (on the left) and man in the black jumper (on the right) who's giving a speech
A man in a suit (on the left), woman in white blouse (in the center), and man in the black jumper (on the right) receiving an award
Viktoria Mankovska, Editor of Gwara’s Ukrainian version, and Serhii Prokopenko, Gwara’s Head Editor, at the Free Media Award Ceremony in Hamburg, Germany

”For Ukrainian journalists, war means reporting under conditions of survival. We not only cover the frontline but also risks to democracy itself – disinformation, corruption, and shrinking civil society. For regional media like Gwara, this award is especially vital, as we bring global attention to local realities that would otherwise remain invisible,” said Serhii Prokopenko, editor-in-chief of Gwara Media, when the newsroom was informed of the award on Sep. 9.

Previously, this award was given to Ukrainian photographers Mstyslav Chernov and Evgenii Maloletka, journalist and writer Nataliya Gumenyuk, internet media Zaborona, photo- and videoreporter Andriy Dubchak. 

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