Independent Georgian media outlet awarded for its critical journalism

Netgazeti, who will receive €15,000 (35,700 GEL) was awarded for “having given its readers a good platform for understanding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine”.

Agenda.ge, 24 Jun 2015 - 18:51, Tbilisi,Georgia

An independent Georgian online media organisation has gained international recognition for its independent and critical news coverage of the Russia-Georgia crisis.

Georgian online edition Netgazeti.ge was among six media outlets from Georgia, Ukraine and Russia that received Foundation Press Prize for Russia and Eastern Europe set up by the 2015 Fritt Ord Foundation and the ZEIT Foundation.

By receiving a Press Prize, Netgazeti won 15,000 EUR (37,000 GEL) for providing broad coverage of social problems in the national news. The online news website was also commended for its independent coverage and not giving in to the fear of censorship or reprisals.

The awarded ceremony was held at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo today.

The Fritt Ord Foundation website said Netgazeti offered its readers "a good platform” for understanding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The Georgian news website was nominated for the award by the German Embassy in Tbilisi and by the Heinrich Böll Foundation's office in the South Caucasus.