The Media Initiatives Center has summarized the results of the “Tvapatum 2024” annual Media Awards Ceremony.

The Media Initiatives Center hosted the “Tvapatum 2024” awards ceremony for the 10th consecutive year, honoring professional excellence in human-centered storytelling by selecting the highest quality and most responsible journalism using innovative approaches and modern tools and upholding ethical principles.   

Prominent media and civil society experts served as the jury for “Tvapatum 2024,” awarding the winners monetary prizes and “Tvapatum” statuettes.

The jury awarded a special prize to “Aravot” journalist Tatevik Harutyunyan in the “Homo Agendi (Person in Action)” category for her story titled “I Want People to Remain Human and Love Each Other.” Additionally, an incentive prize in this category was given to “News.am” journalist Taguhi Melkonyan for her story “From Ashotsk to Kaghsi: The Coach Who Founded an All-Girls Football Team and Breaks Stereotypes.” Both authors, along with the individuals featured in their stories, received 150,000 AMD each.

The Ditak Prize, which honors excellence in investigative journalism, was awarded to Anya Sarkisova, a journalist for the “Hetq” media outlet. She received a prize of 250,000 AMD for her article titled “Black Market of Drugs: Why Some Drugs Are Not Registered, But Are Sold.”

Additionally, an incentive prize was awarded to Narek Kirakosyan from “Factor TV” for his investigative story “Who Supplied Trees to Yerevan? The Deal at the Center of the Anti-Corruption Committee.”

Lusine Vardanyan from “Civilnet” received the newly established award, “Tun ev Tegh”(The Place Where We Live), along with a prize of 250,000 AMD for her article “Towards Debed: Silent Contamination of the River,” which highlights urgent environmental issues in the Tavush region.

Journalists Susina Khachatryan and Lilit Grigoryan from “Infocom” received the “Media 3.0” award for their innovative use of technology in journalistic storytelling. They were honored for their article titled “Every 4th Official of Regional Communities Has Not Submitted at Least One Declaration” and received a prize of 250,000 AMD.

Additionally, an incentive prize of 100,000 AMD was awarded to Hasmik Smbatyan, a journalist from “Radio Liberty,” for her short video titled “The ‘Dangerous’ and ‘Safe’ Sounds of Grenade: What Did Nikol Pashinyan Say in 2018 and 2024?”

In the “Akanjogh” (Earring) category, the jury awarded two special prizes of 150,000 AMD each. The first prize was given to “Civilnet” journalist Lyudmila Shirvanyan for her video titled “Yazidi Woman Breaks Stereotypes,” highlighting the education issue among national minorities. The second prize went to “Regional Post” journalist Anzhela Alekian for her article Women in Numbers which analyzes women’s inclusion in the labor market.

The “Emergency Note” category winner is Hayk Ghazaryan, a journalist from “Civilnet.” He received a prize of 250,000 AMD for his article “Kilometers on All Fours: From Amaras to Kert. Tatul Khachatryan’s Story.” Additionally, the jury awarded a special prize of 150,000 AMD to Rima Grigoryan, a journalist from Hetq, for her article “Do You Want Me to Tell Our Story?”

“Infocom” journalist Zara Khachatryan received the “Covering Science” award (200,000 AMD) for her Gitarbuk series, which explores the intersection of traditional culture and modern science.

The jury also awarded an incentive prize (100,000 AMD) to fellow “Infocom” journalist Ani Khachatryan for her article on the Zorats Stones.

Traditionally, the jury presents a special achievement award. This year, “Boon TV” received a special award with a prize of 150,000 AMD for its consistent dedication to promoting science reporting over the past 13 years.

This year’s competition committee included representatives from the media and civil society, specifically: Gayane Mirzoyan, co-founder of Urbanista; Gnel Nalbandian, editor-in-chief of the Newmag publishing house; Hrachuhi Utmazyan, head of the First Channel Media Academy; Armen Grigoryan, head of programs at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation – Armenia; and Anahit Gevorgyan, last year’s winner in the “Executive” category.

The “Tvapatum” Journalism Contest is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

The U.S. Agency for International Development administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide. 

The “Tvapatum” Journalism Contest is organized with the financial support of the European Union. 

The “Tvapatum” Journalism Contest is also supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Gituzh Initiative.