Belarus 34 Multimedia Magazine to Receive IPI's 2012 Free Media Pioneer Award

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Ceremony to be held at World Congress in Port of Spain

VIENNA, May 15, 2012 – The International Press Institute (IPI) named independent Belarusian youth publication 34 Multimedia Magazine the winner of IPI’s 2012 Free Media Pioneer Award, which is sponsored this year by multimedia company Grupo Infobae.

Since 1996, the honour has recognised the work of one media organization each year for having improved press freedom and media independence in its home country or region.

Founded and published by Belarusian journalist Iryna Vidanava, 34 Multimedia Magazine is a revived multimedia version of Studentskaya Dumka (Students’ Thought), a banned, Belarusian-language youth magazine. When the government in 2005 revoked the magazine’s registration – a bureaucratic requirement for any Belarusian organisation – the publication’s editors skirted legal restrictions by going digital. The publication now takes advantage of modern technology to create an entirely new generation of samizdat, not just in a multimedia CD format, but also through the publication’s website and on Facebook.

IPI Executive Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said: “We are very pleased to name 34 Multimedia Magazine as the recipient of this year’s IPI Free Media Pioneer Award. We have long been inspired by its staff’s fortitude and commitment to quality journalism in the face of trying circumstances. They provide a shining example that independent journalism can survive and flourish using diverse media.”

IPI recently spoke with Vidanava about the publication. Read the full interview here.

An independent jury of five members of IPI’s Executive Board selected 34 Multimedia Magazine to receive the honour.

IPI will present the award during a special ceremony on Monday, 25 June at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.

During a special dinner and award ceremony in Port of Spain - IPI will also honour its 63^rd World Press Freedom Hero, Mr. David S. Rohde.