On December 14, 2018, the Award Ceremony of the reality show “Journalistic Battles” took place within the framework of the project “Access to information and investigative journalism for better-informed citizens”, which is co-funded by the European Union, implemented by “Freedom of Information Center of Armenia” NGO (FOICA) in cooperation with the Maastricht-based European Journalism Centre.

Journalism and Law participant students, heads of Universities and Journalism departments, Gregory Tsouris, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation for Cooperation in Armenia, Line Urban, EU International Cooperation Specialist, MP Lena Nazaryan, other international organisations and local CSOs, Project organizers participated in the ceremony.

During the reality-show competition, 36 students from six leading universities in Armenia (Yerevan State University, Armenian State Pedagogical University, State Linguistic University named after V. Brusov, Shirak State University, Vanadzor State University, Gavar State University) competed with each other by preparing investigative reports on corruption topics.

Mr. Gregory Tsouris, Deputy Head of the EU Cooperation Unit, delivered a speech at the beginning of the ceremony.

“This is a very important project for the European Union. Selected topics are very topical and may soon be the basis for discussion. It is a great honor for me to be here today,” said Mr. Tsouris.

One of the three finalists has won the top prize, which was handed to the winner by the MP Lena Nazaryan, who also stated in her speech.

“I want justice and legitimacy to be approved as a result of your investigations. I want your readers to be always grateful to you. Journalism is a very powerful tool. You always have to act in a way that no one gets harmed,” said Ms. Nazaryan and wished success to students in all their initiatives.

The winning student of the Moot Court organized within the framework of the project was also awarded with a prize by FOICA president, “Informed Armenia” project director Shushan Doydoyan.

“I am sure this project will greatly motivate you to continue your work as advocates, judges, journalists, and spokespersons. You will need all this experience you have accumulated for the rest of your life. I am very happy that we have made a small contribution to building your future, “said Mrs. Shushan Doydoyan.

Hrayr Tamrazyan, director of Radio Liberty’s Armenian Service, awarded the students who won the second prize. He noted that he is glad there are such talented journalists in the regions as well.

“What you have done is important and should be continued. The public will eventually appreciate what you do,” he said and congratulated all students.

Karen Andreasyan, the author of the “Journalistic Battles” project, also wished success to students in their initiatives.

“I want to thank all the students who have believed and participated in this project. This is not the end yet. Very soon the second season of the “Journalistic Battles” project will start,” said Mr. Karen Andreasyan.

The whole process of the ceremony was filmed as a final episode of the “Journalistic Battles” project and will be broadcast on 22 December.