European Journalism Prize 2025 Speech Ambassador Pawel Herczynski

Dear journalists, media managers, fellow ambassadors, dear friends,

Welcome to our annual event celebrating the fundamental role journalists play in our societies. This ceremony, proudly organised by the European Union Delegation to Georgia, is a tribute to Georgian journalists who continue to stand at the forefront of the struggle for a democratic and European Georgia.

For more than a decade, the European Prize for Journalism has promoted quality reporting, ethical standards, and a pluralistic media environment. But at its core, this prize is about something deeper: recognising a profession without which democracy simply cannot survive.

In recent years, Georgian journalists have shown extraordinary resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the public interest. At a time when facts are distorted, fear is manufactured, and conspiracy theories are amplified, journalists play a vital role in keeping society anchored in reality. They ensure that citizens live in truth-not in a world of manipulation, imposed silence, or convenient lies.

This work has not come without cost. Independent media in Georgia face mounting pressure, shrinking resources, and an increasingly hostile legal environment. And yet, you continue to investigate, verify, and inform. This is not only a professional achievement-it is a service of profound value to Georgian society as a whole.

The media environment in Georgia has significantly deteriorated in recent years. But as long as journalists continue their work, people are not left in the dark. They remain connected to facts, context, and reality. That is why tonight is also about recognising the determination of every journalist who continues to work under difficult and often intimidating circumstances-far beyond those nominated or awarded this evening.

Allow me to share a special thought for your colleague who cannot be with us tonight: kalbatoni Mzia Amaglobeli. Through unwavering integrity, she has stood firm in defence of freedom of expression, at enormous personal cost. As a recipient of the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize, she embodies moral clarity and the conviction that journalism exists to serve the public-not power.

For the European Union, freedom of expression, media pluralism, and the safety of journalists are not optional values. They are fundamental requirements of any democratic society-especially for a country that claims to aspire to join the European Union.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The submissions this year cover an impressive and powerful range of topics. Alongside reporting on civil protests and police violence, we have stories exposing the struggles of surrogate mothers, children in foster care, grave environmental concerns, and the impact of artificial intelligence on human behaviour. These remarkable works reaffirm our belief in the urgent need to support independent journalism in Georgia.

As with any competition, difficult choices had to be made. I sincerely thank our esteemed jury members-Eka Pirtshalava, Magda Memaniszvili, Mamuka Andruladze, and Guram Cibahaszvili-for their professionalism, independence, and integrity. We fully trust their judgment.

For the 14th consecutive year, the European Union is proud to honour the professionalism and determination of Georgian journalists. When truth is challenged and freedom is tested, your work becomes an act of responsibility and resolve. A country's democratic and European future cannot be built without free media-and without journalists who refuse to be silenced. The European Union stands with you, today and in the days ahead.

Didi madloba!