The founder of the Fetisov Journalism Awards, Gleb Fetisov, expressed his confidence that the next, third global journalism contest will widen its representation to an even greater extent and will help discover new names and journalistic talent among media professionals.

300 nominees from 77 countries took part in the 2020 competition. The authors of 12 winning projects were journalists from India, Turkey, Switzerland, Nigeria, the USA, UK and Latin America. Applications to participate in the contest for 2020-2021 must be submitted by August 1 this year.

On the verge of ‘a brave new world’

“Today in the field of mass media there are real dramatic changes. Creativity, thought and truth are eradicated from this profession; ideological brainwashing and manufacturing an alternate reality are more and more required. Our award is conceived as an opportunity to find, celebrate and support worthy and courageous journalists from a worldwide search,”- Gleb Gennadievich Fetisov emphasized.

Short biography. Gleb Fetisov is actively involved in scientific and social activities. 2001 – 2009 member of the Federation Council, 2010 – 2013 – board member of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. Member of the upper chamber of the Russian parliamentin 2001-2009. In September 2011 he headed the Council for the Study of the Productive Forces of the RAS and the Ministry of Economic Development (until February 2014). Professor, Doctor of Economics, Corresponding Member of the RAS.

The Fetisov Journalism Awards are not Fetisov’s first project in the humanitarian sphere, but, obviously, it’s the most large-scale and ambitious one. In 2013, the entrepreneur created the Fetisov Illusion production company, which is not only involved in film production, but is also a partner of the Moscow International Film Festival and the Golden Eagle National Cinematic Award. In 2017, the Fetisoff Illusion Company acted as the trustee of the prestigious Russian Booker literary prize. But the rapidly changing reality and the growing crisis of humanistic values highlighted the importance of supporting independent journalism.

Gleb Fetisov: Truth against fakes

“Humankind is at a crossroads. The division between the ‘golden billion’ and the rest of the world is becoming increasingly sharp. A sense of justice is lost in the gap between these two poles. The overwhelming greed and selfishness of the ruling elites threaten to undermine the foundations of life. There is only one defense against these destructive processes – it’s what we call honest journalism,” – Gleb Gennadievich Fetisov is convinced.

The Fetisov Journalism Awards project has become a response to the challenges of our time. Its goals are the support of journalists in their mission to promote human values, popularize modern journalism as a unique profession that contributes to transforming the lives of people, individual communities and the world as a whole.

Independence of the organizers of the award from any political and financial circles, as well as the objectivity of the choice of participants and the selection of winners is ensured by an authoritative international jury. It involves those whose biography is inextricably linked with journalism: the leaders of the European Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, the Vienna International Press Institute, as well as famous journalists from India, Russia, France and other countries.

The 2021 contest, as in previous years, consists of four nominations: Contribution to Peace, Contribution to Civil Rights Protection, Investigative Journalism and Environmental Journalism. Works released between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021 are allowed to participate in the creative competition. The shortlist will be determined by November 1, 2021 and published on the Awards website.