Kuronen has promoted democracy and raised awareness of European political issues, explains the award for European Finland.
Protests in Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Israel, Gaza and Belarus – examples of ‘s journalist Antti Kurosen from the world.
The European Finland Association has awarded Kuronen the European of the Year award, which will be awarded on Europe Day on 9 May. thank you for your work for European values, international cooperation and democracy.
At the beginning of the year, the association searched for candidates for recognition with a survey and made a selection from among them.
– Recognition came from the bush. I was genuinely confused in a positive sense. The fact that there was a survey in the background feels even nicer, Kuronen commented on his first reaction.
The association justifies granting recognition to Kurose on the grounds that he has promoted the realization of a democratic society in Finland and increased awareness of European political, social and human issues for several years.
Kuronen feels that he has strived for this himself.
– I am trying to highlight democracy and the rule of law. When it comes to the wars or crises I have followed, often at least the other party is a non-democratic state.
Kuronen considers the disclosure of disinformation to be an important part of the journalist’s work, because usually the party that starts a war uses a lot of disinformation and propaganda to achieve its aspirations.
– It is important to point out who benefits from the war and what is sought by disinformation and war. I always try to bring it up, they are really important questions, Kuronen concludes.
No danger is sought
Many who follow Antti Kuronen’s work wonder on social media how a journalist can be in constantly risky places. That is why his work gets a lot of respect.
Kuronen does work of his own free will.
– I have a role in , where the task is to go to news gigs quickly. I shoot and cut myself. That’s why I’ve been reporting in many big news situations.
Recently, a photographer worked with Kuronen and him Ivar Heinmaa had to seek refuge at a chat gig along with Ukrainian soldiers when firing began near a military hospital.
Putting oneself at risk was also mentioned in the explanatory memorandum to the European of the Year award. Kuronen was not surprised by the firing around the military hospital – his long work experience has brought perspective and understanding of the dangers he never consciously seeks out.
– Honestly, I have been exposed to danger, but this is not an extreme sport, this is journalism. There is no danger here, but I try to avoid risks that nothing really serious happens, says Kuronen.
Europe Day brings a counterweight to Victory Day
Antti Kuronen considers it important that the recognition he receives is related to Europe Day, which is based on unity and peace.
He hopes that Europe Day will receive more attention, as he feels it will be a counterweight to Russia’s annual 9.5. for the celebrated Victory Day. Especially now that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is making people appreciate what Europe has.
– The Kremlin’s current policy glorifies a war of aggression and a shrinking society in which citizens have fewer and fewer rights and the regime becomes totalitarian, says Kuronen.
The European of the Year award has previously been awarded to ‘s journalist. 2020 EU correspondent Susanna Turunen was chosen as Finland’s first European of the Year. In 2021, the director of the University of Helsinki’s Center for European Studies, docent, received the recognition Timo Miettinen.