The Basilica Media Centre of the Romanian Patriarchate was awarded a Special Prize at the Gala of the Union of Professional Journalists of Romania (UZPR), held on Monday evening at the “Ion Creangă” Theatre in Bucharest.
The event was opened by Dan Constantin, President of the UZPR, and moderated by Daniela Mihai Soare, journalist with Radio România Actualități.
Dan Constantin recalled that the prizes are granted to Romanian-language journalists both within and beyond Romania’s borders. Victor Negrescu, Vice-President of the European Parliament, sent a special video message.
“We speak of the fourth power in a democracy, and I am convinced that in the years ahead journalism will continue to have the impact it has had throughout Romania’s democratic transition,” the MEP said.
“Together We Can Make a Better World”
The delegate of His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel was Fr Nicolae Dascălu, Honorary Patriarchal Adviser, who conveyed the Patriarch’s blessing to the organisers and participants.
Fr Nicolae Dascălu recalled that His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel is the founder of the Basilica Media Centre, describing it as an institution “that spreads spiritual light” and seeks “to practise journalism with social responsibility.”
“My colleagues at the Basilica Media Centre convey their esteem to you and, at the same time, their desire to build as many bridges of communication as possible. We too need your support, your experience, your enthusiasm, just as you need the drop of God’s grace — inspiration and courage — to bear witness to the truth in society,” Fr Nicolae Dascălu emphasised.
“There has been talk of the drops of truth that we cultivate together, and I believe that by bringing them together we can make a better world and fulfil the word of the Saviour Jesus Christ: ‘the truth will set you free.’ Thank you,” the Patriarch’s delegate concluded.
Doina Dabija and Andreea Esca Among Awardees
The jury also awarded two additional special prizes: one to Andreea Esca, a journalist at ProTV, and the other to Doina Dabija, Editor-in-Chief of the cultural magazine Literatura și Arta in the Republic of Moldova.
“I wish to thank the leadership of the UZPR and the jury for advocating journalism without borders, under the motto: Two Romanian countries – one Romanian press,” Doina Dabija said upon receiving the award.
“The UZPR has succeeded, and continues to succeed, in bringing us — journalists from the Republic of Moldova — closer to the homeland. I am convinced that one day, Bessarabia too will return home.”
According to Agerpres, the jury comprised Ruxandra Săraru (President), Mădălina Corina Diaconu, Dan Constantin, Viorel Popescu, Teodora Marin, Monica Zvirjinschi, Roxana Istudor, Marian Nencescu, and Cornel Cepariu.
Photo: Constantin Duma
