The annual Development Journalism award was awarded for the fourth time.
The Finnish Red Cross (SPR), the Communication and Development Foundation Vikes, the Helsingin Sanomain Foundation and the Finnish Journalism Association have awarded ‘s editor Jenny Matikainenphotographer Benjamin Suomela and a cutter Jouni Kopose The 2023 Development Journalism Award for his Ulkolinja documentary “Mekong – when the fish disappeared”.
– This is a visual and approachable reportage document, the jury justifies its decision.
According to Raad, the documentary combines the everyday life of Cambodian villagers with the perspective of researchers and the situation where the ancient fishing industry is shaken as a result of the damming of the Mekong River and the destruction of the ecosystem.
– The documentary succeeds in shedding light on the tenacious struggle for survival of a small community and people’s wishes excellently, the panel writes in the SPR’s press release.
“The essential thing is to be present”
The documentary was shot in January and February last year in different parts of Cambodia. It tells how giant dams, especially financed by China, have messed up the lives of people living along the Mekong.
The working group is happy that the topic and the documentary method of narration are getting attention.
– We are trying to get close to those who are affected by the change in the Mekong. It was essential to be present, and it was possible with the help of brave Cambodians, says Jenny Matikainen.
The program takes the viewer to a morning river, a village covered by a dam and a fisherman’s floating home.
According to the authors, it is essential that the picture of the world offered to Finns is not shortened, even though the same topics are currently being repeated in the news.
– We wanted to highlight the challenges experienced by Cambodians in a world that changes quickly and where the lives of individuals are often left at the feet of political and economic decisions, says Benjamin Suomela.
Honorable mention to ‘s Africa correspondent
Helsingin Sanomat also received an honorable mention from the independent jury that chose the award winner Tommi Nieminen and Saara Mansikkamäki article from Kazakhstanand ‘s Afrikan correspondent Pasi Toivonen a report on a Ugandan music festival.
The annual Development Journalism award was awarded for the fourth time. The award was originally established to highlight high-quality and innovative journalistic publications dealing with global themes and to increase the visibility and appreciation of Finnish development journalism.