On the occasion of November 16, the International Day of Tolerance, the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, with the support of the OSCE Mission in Serbia, is organizing for the ninth time the competition for the Annual Media Award for the best media texts and contributions on the topic of combating discrimination and promoting equality and tolerance. The competition’s goal is media promotion of values ​​such as equality and tolerance, suppression of prejudices and stereotypes towards minority, marginalized, and vulnerable groups, as well as raising the visibility of the Commissioner’s institution.

Journalists of all print and electronic, local, and national media registered in Serbia who have published texts/contributions on the competition topic from September 15, 2023, to September 15, 2024, have the right to participate in the contest. More journalists from the same media company can participate, but only with one contribution/text each. Also, journalists who were awarded in the previous two years cannot apply for this year’s awards, which will be awarded for the ninth time. The evaluated criteria will be identification of the phenomenon of discrimination, contribution to the reduction of stereotypes and prejudices, affirmative reporting, promotion of equality, and the use of gender-sensitive language.

Media texts and attachments must be sent by September 15, 2024, to poverenik@ravnopravnost.gov.rs. The competition application should contain a media contribution/text and a short biography with the author’s contact information. Application format for radio and television contributions is a link to the broadcasted item, while for print and internet media, a link to the published text, or the published text in PDF format.

Prizes are awarded in three categories, first, second, and third:

radio or TV contribution (up to 3 minutes) or reportage (up to 30 minutes);

text from a daily or weekly press/newspaper;

online media/portal video or text form.

The expert jury consists of previous winners of the first prizes in all three categories, as well as representatives of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the Media Department of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

The best media contributions and the names of the authors will be announced at a conference, which will traditionally be held on November 16, the International Day of Tolerance, and will then be published on the websites and Facebook pages of the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality and the OSCE Mission in Serbia.

We believe that your media will recognize the significance and importance of this competition and that you will encourage your colleagues to apply for the competition.