Best 10 journalists of 2011 receive crystal apple trophy

The best ten journalists of this year were awarded the crystal apple pierced by a bronze arrow. The 17th “10 Journalists of the Year” Prize Gala took place at the National Theater “Mihai Eminescu” in the evening of December 15. The prizes were handed over by the Chisinau Press Club that includes the Independent Journalism Center and the Committee for the Freedom of the Press, Info-Prim Neo reports. For the first time this year, the laureates have been designated based on the results of a contest of journalistic materials, news, reports, investigations, relevant photographs, analyses, radio and TV programs. The winners are: 1. Natalia Hadirca, “Adevarul Moldova” – the print media; 2. Ruslan Mihalevski, “SP”, Balti – the local print media; 3. Dorina Chirilov, “Jurnal TV” – TV 4. Elena Robu-Popa, “Moldova1” – moderator of TV talk show; 5. Natalia Davidovich, “Publika TV” – moderator of TV talk show; 6. Valentina Ursu – radio; 7. Vlad Turcanu – moderator of radio talk show; 8. Cornel Ciobanu, Agerpress News Agency – news agencies; 9. Natalia Vlasova, “Aici TV” – local radio TV; 10. Tudor Iovu, “Adevarul Moldova” – photoreporter. There were also awarded four special prizes to: 1. Valentin Mindicanu – the Excellence Prize for length of service in journalism; 2. Marina Prodius – Infotag News Agency and the journal “Banci si finante”; 3. Kommersant.md – Evolution of the Year; 4. Alina Turcanu – “Adevarul Moldova”. The files were analyzed by a jury consisting of five members, who gave points to every participant in the contest. The applicants who scored the largest number of points were nominated for TOP-3 in every category. The final decision as regards the winners was taken by the senate of the Independent Journalism Center. The jury included the program director of the Public Policy Institute Oazu Nantoi, president of the East Europe Foundation Sorin Mereacre, chairman of the Press Council Ludmila Andronic, director of the Integration and Political Sciences Institute of the Academy of Sciences Victor Moraru, and lecturer of the Journalism Faculty of the State University Georgeta Stepanov. The Independent Journalism Center’s senate was comprised of Alexandru Cantir, Petru Macovei, Dmitri Kalac, Liliana Vitu-Esanu, and Vasile Spinei.