Georgia: BBC reporter awarded by Russian Media Union

Media.ge, Tbilisi, 05 Dec 2008 – Russian Media Union recognized BBC reporter Tim Whewell as the winner of the annual journalism contest Golden Verb – 2008. In his October story the journalist supported the Russian interpretation of the war breakout in Tskhinvali region, online edition Newsru.com informs.

Whewell arrived in Tskhinvali region in October, following three months of war activities and talked to the eye-witnesses. The BBC reporter was told that Georgian tanks were aiming at the blocks of flats, and soldiers were shooting civilians trying to escape in their cars.

According to the contest jury “it was an impartial work, proving that genuine journalism exists.”

During the awards ceremony Tim Whewell was in London. The Grand Prize was handed over to the Russian journalist Alexey Samoletov, having stated that Whewell’s work put everything in its places and startled politicians.

Prizes for other nominations of the contest were won by Spanish, German, Polish, Uzbek, Chinese, Syrian and Armenian journalists, as well as a French TV TF-1.

The winners were awarded with medals, diplomas, and the main Russian stereotype – a big box of Vodka. In addition all winners will be offered the voyage down the Volga.

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