At the festive PRIX EUROPA awards ceremony in Berlin's Rotes Rathaus on 11 October, a total of 15 media productions were honoured as the best European audio, digital media and video productions of the year. In addition, a special prize was awarded for the Best European Media Project in the field of Identity, Diversity and Inclusion. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the European Journalist of the Year 2024 award to German journalist Mirjam Kottmann. According to Press Release the annual prize of honour for special services to the European media industry is awarded to a person who breaks through entrenched structures, crosses boundaries and changes perceptions for the long term.
In the film category, two awards went to Germany: the successful ARD co-production "Die Zweiflers" about a Jewish family in Frankfurt won the award for best mini-series. And the RBB production "Das Strohmann-Kartell - Dienstleister für die Mafia" won the award for best TV investment.
The PRIX EUROPA IRIS for the best media project on identity, diversity and inclusion went to the bilingual Austrian radio feature "Blasse Stunden / Blijedi sati". For the first time, productions from all categories were able to apply for this award, meaning that the audio medium prevailed against both moving images and digital media in this case.
The crowning glory was the PRIX EUROPA European Journalist of the Year 2024 award, which went to German journalist Mirjam Kottmann. The passionate media maker has worked at Bayerischer Rundfunk for 27 years. After an eventful career as a reporter, she became Germany's first female news presenter in a wheelchair at the beginning of the year. The 50-year-old has lived with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis since she was 24 years old. In her speech, RBB director Ulrike Demmer paid tribute to Kottmann's determination. Through her visibility in a wheelchair, she spread an important message: "Her outstanding journalistic achievements and her strength of character make her not only a pioneer, but a role model for us all. Mirjam Kottmann's work reminds us that journalism is not just about informing the public - it's also about challenging accepted norms and fighting injustice."
Every year, PRIX EUROPA honours the best European media productions. It is organised by an alliance of currently 22 European broadcasters. The competition brings together hundreds of media professionals from across the continent every year. Since its foundation in 1987, it has developed into a pan-European platform for quality journalism that promotes cohesion and European togetherness. This year's presidency is held by Jean-Paul Philippot, director of the French-speaking Belgian broadcaster RTBF. The event is being hosted by Rundfunk Berlin Brandenburg with the support of the State of Berlin.
