Established in memory of independent war correspondent Khaled Alkhateb

2022

The fourth year of competition saw submissions from 16 countries in 6 languages.
The winning works focused on conflicts in Yemen, Ukraine and Mozambique.

BEST JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONE:

VIDEO

Valentin Trushnin

Russia

Monastery: Through Heaven and Hell
The Donetsk People’s Republic militia evacuates the Nikolsky Monastery shelled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

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Valentin Trushnin

BEST JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONE: VIDEO

Monastery: Through Heaven and Hell: The Donetsk People’s Republic militia evacuates the Nikolsky Monastery shelled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
BEST JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONE:

WRITTEN

Alexander Kots

Russia

Fighting Outside Kiev: Gostomel Warriors
War correspondent reports on the Russian paratroopers holding the defense line under fire for a month at an airfield near Kiev.

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Alexander Kots

BEST JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONE: WRITTEN

Fighting Outside Kiev: Gostomel Warriors: War correspondent reports on the Russian paratroopers holding the defense line under fire for a month at an airfield near Kiev.
BEST HUMANITARIAN JOURNALISM:

VIDEO

Regina Orekhova

Russia

Civilians
Misha arrives from the Russian town of Kaluga to the Donetsk region in search of his fiancée Katya who had gone on a visit to her parents before the special military operation started in February 2022.

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Regina Orekhova

BEST HUMANITARIAN JOURNALISM: VIDEO

Civilians: Misha arrives from the Russian town of Kaluga to the Donetsk region in search of his fiancée Katya who had gone on a visit to her parents before the special military operation started in February 2022. He hasn’t heard from her since and is trying to reach the city Mariupol to bring Katya home to Russia. A documentary with breathtaking footage telling the real stories that are hard to believe.
BEST HUMANITARIAN JOURNALISM:

WRITTEN

Maria Marikyan

Russia

The town of Popasnaya in the Lugansk People’s Republic is no longer under heavy fire like it was last summer, yet occasionally the air raid alert goes on.

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Maria Marikyan

BEST HUMANITARIAN JOURNALISM: WRITTEN

The town of Popasnaya in the Lugansk People’s Republic is no longer under heavy fire like it was last summer, yet occasionally the air raid alert goes on. Most of the buildings have been reduced to rubble, and yet a few dozen people continue to live here with no gas, electricity, water and sometimes even food. They don’t want to leave their home. This report is about their life in Popasnaya.

2021

The fourth year of competition saw submissions from 16 countries in 6 languages.
The winning works focused on conflicts in Yemen, Ukraine and Mozambique.

BEST VIDEO JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONЕ:

LONG FORM

Alexander Lukyanov

Russia

“Rumbling silence”, Russia 24
The reporter goes to the DPR front line to see with his own eyes how the "line of contact ceasefire” agreement is being implemented, and himself comes under fire...

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Alexander Lukyanov

BEST VIDEO JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONЕ: LONG FORM

“Rumbling silence”, Russia 24: The reporter goes to the DPR front line to see with his own eyes how the "line of contact ceasefire” agreement is being implemented, and himself comes under fire. On the Donbass line of contact, recently DPR representatives have increasingly reported that Ukraine has been violating the July 2020 ceasefire agreement. Prisoner-of-war exchanges have been suspended, the DPR notes negotiations are proving fruitless. Special correspondent Alexander Lukyanov reports from the front line.

Alexander Lukyanov is a war correspondent. In his 23-year career, he has worked on the events in Maidan square, Kiev, in 2013-2014, and during the aggravation of Ukraine's political situation; Carried out a series of working visits to the Donetsk People's Republic and Syria. Member of the Valdai Discussion Club. Finalist of the 2019 TEFI-chronicle competition. Since 2011, he has been a special correspondent for the Russia 24 TV channel
BEST WRITTEN JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONЕ:

WRITTEN

Anuj Chopra

USA

Battles and bloodshed in Yemen's Marib”, AFP
On-the-ground report from Marib, Yemen, as Houthi rebels ramp up a scorched-earth offensive to seize the city...

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Anuj Chopra

BEST WRITTEN JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONЕ: WRITTEN

“Battles and bloodshed in Yemen's Marib”, AFP: On-the-ground report from Marib, Yemen, as Houthi rebels ramp up a scorched-earth offensive to seize the city, triggering a humanitarian crisis and prompting local tribe members to join the fight to save the strategic oil-rich city.

Anuj Chopra is a Knight-Bagehot Fellow at Columbia Journalism School in New York. He was the Riyadh bureau chief at Agence France-Presse from 2017 to 2021. Prior to that, he served as the agency's Kabul bureau chief for nearly two and a half years.
BEST HUMANITARIAN JOURNALISM: AFTER THE WAR:

VIDEO

Rania Abdullah

Yemen

“Life, Terminated”, YEMEN-TV
The documentary covers the ongoing armed conflict in southwestern Yemen that drove 38 families to flee to a remote mountainous area in the al-Mafir district of Taiz Governorate...

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Rania Abdullah

BEST HUMANITARIAN JOURNALISM: AFTER THE WAR: VIDEO

“Life, Terminated”, YEMEN-TV: The documentary covers the ongoing armed conflict in southwestern Yemen that drove 38 families to flee to a remote mountainous area in the al-Mafir district of Taiz Governorate, where they were left with no means of survival. As the Covid-19 pandemic spread, the refugees’ plight worsened. Poor sanitary conditions have led to complications during childbirth and frequent miscarriages in women.

Rania Abdullah Saif Farhan is a Yemeni journalist who covers humanitarian crises and women's issues. She has worked as a journalist since 2010. Rania became a member of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate and editor-in-Chief of the Yemen Times Family and Development Magazine.

2020

The third year of the competition saw submissions from 16 countries in 7 languages.
The winning works focused on conflicts in Iran and Syria.

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone:

LONG FORM

Alexander Konevich

Russia

Russian military in Syria
The work consists of 5 news stories that were broadcast on the daily news program "Today"...

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Alexander Konevich

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone: LONG FORM

Russian military in Syria: The work consists of 5 news stories that were broadcast on the daily news program "Today" as part of the coverage of the situation in Syria during the period of October to December 2019. The reports detail how militant attacks were repelled in the provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, how humanitarian aid was delivered to the Syrian city of Raqqa, about the difficult living conditions of refugees and the service of the Russian Navy in Syria.

Alexander Konevich was born in 1982 in the Tyumen region of Russia’s Siberia. After school, he joined the Tyumen State University. In his first year, he worked for Tyumen regional TV and radio. In four years, he moved to Moscow to work for Channel One. In 2010, he quit news for the scientific program "Science 2.0". Before joining NTV, he spent a year in virtual orbit, as a screenwriter and creative producer of the cosmic reality project "A year in orbit". Alexander has been with NTV since 2017.
BEST VIDEO JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONE:

SHORT FORM

Mohamed Ali

Syria

Idlib frontline calm as ceasefire goes into effect
Calm prevails in Syria’s Idlib province as a ceasefire deal between Russia and Turkey largely holds.

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Mohamed Ali

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone: SHORT FORM

Idlib frontline calm as ceasefire goes into effect: Calm prevails in Syria’s Idlib province as a ceasefire deal between Russia and Turkey largely holds. The ceasefire came after months of ferocious fighting between the Syrian army and Turkish-backed armed groups. This report takes you to the heart of the strategic town of Saraqeb and shows terrorist strongholds.

Mohamed Ali has been a journalist since 2007 and a correspondent for Press TV in Syria since 2009. He’s covered the Syrian crisis from A to Z including frontlines, political developments and analysis. He’s also appeared on the BBC, RT and CGTN for analysis on Syrian developments. He was previously a news anchor, reporter and TV show presenter for Syrian state TV from 2007 until 2013.
BEST JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONE:

WRITTEN

Ruchi Kumar

Afghanistan

Why Iran Is Deporting Scores of Afghan Refugees.
Last December, Ruchi Kumar along with a colleague travelled to the border between Iran and Afghanistan...

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Ruchi Kumar

Best Journalism from a Conflict Zone: written

Why Iran Is Deporting Scores of Afghan Refugees: Last December, Ruchi Kumar along with a colleague travelled to the border between Iran and Afghanistan — a designated neutral zone called Zero Point —used by Iran to deport thousands of refugees daily, many of whom have suffered abuse and violence. As one of the largest mass deportations it has already reached a critical stage. This story was published just ahead of the Coronavirus crisis and was a point of discussion during debate in Afghanistan over closing the border with Iran, one of the worst hit countries.

Ruchi Kumar is an Indian journalist currently working in Kabul, Afghanistan, focusing on news stories from the Af-Pak region. She primarily covers post-conflict, developmental and cultural stories from the region, and sometimes reports on the ongoing war as well. Increasingly, she has focused on stories that are at the intersection of gender, conflict and culture. Ruchi has covered the region extensively for Foreign Policy, The Guardian, The National, VICE, Washington Post, and NPR among others.

2019

The second year of the competition saw submissions from 25 countries in 8 languages.
The winning works shed light on conflicts in Syria, Libya and Iraq.

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone:

LONG FORM

AMITABH P REVI

India

Palmyra Ravaged by Daesh, A Bid to Rise Like The Phoenix.
The Temple of Baalshamin, the Victory Arch and The Temple of Bel were all destroyed with reportedly 10,000 tons of explosives.

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AMITABH P REVI

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone: LONG FORM

Palmyra Ravaged By Daesh, A Bid to Rise Like The Phoenix.
The Temple of Baalshamin, the Victory Arch and The Temple of Bel were all destroyed with reportedly 10,000 tons of explosives. Palmyra is now a ghost town. Meet Ahmed Shalil, who hopes the 150,000 tourists that used to come to Palmyra every year will return soon.

Amitabh Revi has spent over 20 years reporting on foreign policy, defence, security and international relations. He’s covered conflicts both within his native India, as well as in the rest of Asia and the Middle East, as a correspondent, editor and anchor for major Indian TV channels. Amitabh is also the first recipient of the United Nations’ Dag Hammarskjold Distinguished Journalism Fellowship.
Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone:

LONG FORM

ANTON STEPANENKO

Russia

Raqqa. Life after war.
After a massive bombardment of Raqqa, considered to be the Islamic State’s de-facto capital, the once-thriving city lies in ruins.

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ANTON STEPANENKO

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone: LONG FORM

Raqqa. Life after war.
After a massive bombardment of Raqqa, considered to be the Islamic State’s de-facto capital, the once-thriving city lies in ruins. According to different estimates, bombardments of the U.S.-led coalition resulted in the death of 2,000 civilians and the destruction of 80% buildings in the city. How to survive in a ghost city?

Anton Stepanenko is a war correspondent for VGTRK, Russia’s largest media holding. Previously, Anton spent nearly two decades reporting from hot spots in the former Yugoslavia, South Ossetia and Chechnya, and throughout the Middle East and Africa, for Russia’s Channel One, the country’s most watched television channel.
BEST VIDEO JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONE:

SHORT FORM

FAUSTO BILOSLAVO

Italy

The battle of Tripoli.
The battle of Tripoli is raging between government forces and the troops of General Haftar.

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FAUSTO BILOSLAVO

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone: SHORT FORM

The battle of Tripoli.
The battle of Tripoli is raging between government forces and the troops of General Haftar. Despite the fierce fighting, the situation is stalling. The Libyan civil war is increasingly similar to the Syrian scenario, but on Europe’s doorstep. The shadow of foreign military interference stands out against the conflict. And the flow of migrants to Europe, by sea, is ready to restart.

Fausto Biloslavo is a veteran Italian war journalist, and a prolific writer on modern conflicts. Over the last 35 years, he has covered conflicts he has witnessed at first hand – from the Afghan War (1979-1989) and the Balkans, to the "forgotten wars" in Africa and the ongoing fighting in Iraq – for a wide range of Italian print and broadcast media.
BEST JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONE:

WRITTEN

KENNETH R. ROSEN

USA

After ISIS.
In a series of stories from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, writer Kenneth R. Rosen journeys across the divide of both countries to learn what will come after the fall of the Islamic State's caliphate.

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FKENNETH R. ROSEN

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone: WRITTEN FORM

After ISIS.
In a series of stories from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, writer Kenneth R. Rosen journeys across the divide of both countries to learn what will come after the fall of the Islamic State's caliphate.

2018

The first year of the competition saw submissions from more than 20 countries in 10 languages.
The winning works shed light on conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and the Philippines.

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone:

LONG FORM

Anna Karenina Tolentino

Singapore

Get Real: Escape from Marawi
On May 23, 2017, ISIS affiliated terrorists wrestled control of Marawi, the biggest Islamic city in the Southern Philippines.

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Anna Karenina Tolentino

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone: LONG FORM

Get Real: Escape from Marawi (Philippines): On May 23, 2017, ISIS affiliated terrorists wrestled control of Marawi, the biggest Islamic city in the Southern Philippines. Escape from Marawi gives a comprehensive account of why the city fell and the fallout that ensued. Through mobile phone videos, taken by the Philippine Military, the Suicide Squad (team of civilian volunteers), and the residents themselves, this program highlights the threat of terrorism that has become too real to ignore, as well as the scars that will stay for generations to come.

Anna Karenina Tolentino is a young journalist, having begun her career just six years ago at Channel NewsAsia. A native Filipino, she’s covered numerous stories in the country, including child soldiers in Mindanao and assassins who kill for a living during elections. She considers “Escape from Marawi” her best work, as it allowed her to tackle an ongoing conflict close to home. This year, she produced Voices against Violence - a documentary on sexual harassment in South Korea, which aired just as the #MeToo campaign was gaining steam.
BEST VIDEO JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONE:

SHORT FORM

Asaad Al-Zalzalee

Iraq

ISIS Children (Iraq)
This piece examines the fate of the children and families of ISIS militants following the expulsion of the terrorist organization by Iraqi forces.

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Asaad Al-Zalzalee

Best VIDEO Journalism from a Conflict Zone: SHORT FORM

ISIS Children (Iraq): This piece examines the fate of the children and families of ISIS militants following the expulsion of the terrorist organization by Iraqi forces. The family members who have remained in the country are detained in camps where they are denied access to the outside world, and children are denied access to education, health and nutrition.

Asaad Zalzali currently works as a correspondent for Beladi TV, an Iraqi news satellite channel, and as an investigative reporter for the ARIJ (Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism) Press Network. Asaad began his career in journalism in 2004 and is now a multiple award winning journalist, including a two-time winner of the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press. He holds two degrees—one in media and one in engineering .
BEST JOURNALISM FROM A CONFLICT ZONE:

WRITTEN

Jason O'Brien

Ireland

Special dispatch from inside Syria.
After seven years of bloodshed, the ongoing civil war in Syria is this century's deadliest.

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Jason O'Brien

Best Journalism from a Conflict Zone: written

Special Dispatch from Inside Syria (Syria): After seven years of bloodshed, the ongoing civil war in Syria is this century's deadliest. The defeat of the Islamic State didn't end it but, along with the lifting of the siege in Aleppo, it marked a significant turning point. In this piece, Jason traveled to Aleppo to talk to people, mainly women, who have somehow maintained a semblance of normal life for their besieged families during almost non-stop bombing. Elsewhere, he examines the reality of communities trying to rebuild amid the horrific divisions inflicted under IS.

Jason O'Brien is a multiple award winning foreign affairs reporter. He is currently a reporter for the Irish Independent newspaper in Ireland, and editor of Independent.ie. He has reported from around the world on a vast array of issues including - but not limited to – the wars in Syria, South Sudan and Lebanon, medical crises in the developing world from Haiti to Sierra Leone, and natural disasters in Haiti and Nepal.