Starting with 2021, the Association of Independent Press (API) will offer the “Tudor Yashchenko” Award in memory of the investigative journalist and director of the regional newspaper “Cuvântul” (“Word”), one of the founders, the first president and member of honor of the API. The award will be offered annually to one of the best journalists of the country, who will show courage and dignity in the line of duty, IPN reports, quoting a press release of the API.

Five years ago, in February 2016, Tudor Iashchenko, who then headed the API, for the first time offered a personal award called “Courage + Dignity = Reputation”. The conferring of a special award to one of the most courageous journalists of Moldova became a tradition the next few years.

After the death of Tudor Yashchenko, the Administration Board of the API decided to rename the award “Courage + Dignity = Reputation” into “Tudor Yashchenko”. The award will be handed over annually during the Press Freedom Days at the start of May, based on the Board’s decision.

Tudor Yashchenko died on March 26, 2021 at the age of 72 due to complications cashed by the novel coronavirus.