The Ihar Hiermianchuk Memorial Diploma “For Adherence to the Principles of Freedom of Speech” has been presented to Iosif Syaredzich, Editor-in-Chief of “Narodnaya Vola”. The Honorary Diploma was founded by the Norwegian PEN-center and the Human Rights House Foundation together with BAJ. This year, the awarding ceremony was dated to the International Solidarity Day of Journalists, globally celebrated on September 8th. (10-SEPT-07)

Based on BAJ Press Service.

-Ihar Hiermianchuk is one of symbols of Belarusian journalism, the BAJ Chairperson Zhanna Litvina said during the cermony. -It is very important that we remember him and don’t let our daily problems erase his name from our memories. It is absolutely natural that the diploma, named after him, is presented to a person who keeps courageously to the principles of the freedom of speech and fights for his editorial, despite all the hindrances on the way.

Professional journalists
In 2005 the Ihar Hiermianchuk Memorial Diploma was presented for the first time to Alena Raubietskaya, the Editor-in-Chief of “Birzha Informacyi” weekly in Hrodna.Taking the floor, the winner in 2007 Iosif Syaredzich noted that he was proud to hold the Ihar Hiermianchuk Memorial Diploma in his hands. – I knew this person very well. He was a professional journalist and newspaper editor. Moreover, he was a real citizen, highly concerned with all the troubles of his country, he said.

Dmitry Zavadski Memorial Awards
Zavadsky smallThree Belarusian journalists – Hienadz Barbarych, Anatol Hatouchyts and Natalia Makushyna received Dmitry Zavadski Memorial Awards “For Courage and Professionalism” this Monday. The award is annually presented to the most worthy media professionals by the First Channel (Russia) and the Belarusian Association of Journalists.  

Chairperson Ms. Zhanna Litvina and the Head of Special Projects Department at the First Channel (Russia) Mr. Paval Sharamiet presented the awards to the winners. -It is a highly honorable award for me, as it is connected with the name of Dzmitry Zavadski,who was a very courageous man, noted Natalia Makushyna. -Unfortunately, the journalists of non-state media do require courage, apart from professionalism nowadays. I would like to express my gratitude to BAJ that has always supported us in difficult situations as well as to all my colleagues from Hrodna. I believe every independent journalist is worthy of such awards…, she added. 

Previous laureates
Several dozen journalists, including the laureates of the awards in the previous years, as well as Dmitry Zavadski’s relatives were invited to take part in the solemn event. The BAJ Dmitry Zavadski Memorial Award has been presented since 2002. The list of its laureates in the previous years includes: TV cameramen Siarhej Gelbach, Siarhej Pushkin, Kanstantsin Marozau, Uladzimir Andronau,Uladzimir Babaryka, Uladzimir Kostsin; photo correspondents Siarhej Hryts, Vasil Fiadosienka, Julia Darashkevich; journalists Andrej Dynko, Iryna Khalip, Lubou Luniova, Leanid Mindlin, Maryna Koktysh, Alena Slau, Ales Lipay, Andrzej Pisalnik, Siarhej Satsuk and Aleh Ulevich.