AT THE YPC BOARD MEETING of July 23, 1998 it was decided to establish an annual prize for journalists. On July 15 the jury consisting of the Chief Editor of "Hayatsk Yerevanits" magazine, Chairman of YPC Commission on Professional Ethics Valeriy Aydinian, Chairwoman of the Journalists Union of Armenia Astghik Gevorgian, Executive Director of "Armenpress" news agency Mesrop Haroutiunian, Executive Director of the National Television of Armenia Tigran Naghdalian and Chairman of the YPC Commission on Protection of Freedom of the Speech Vigen Sargsian announced the names of the first prize-winners. Funds for the ceremony of presentation and prizes were allocated from the Democracy and Civil Society Award funds granted to the YPC by the US and the European Union in May 1998.

ON DECEMBER 23 the atmosphere in the press-lounge of news agency "Armenpress" of cheerful expectations and friendly smiles was also full of intrigue; who is going to be the winner? The most restless asked the same question to their colleagues; "Do you know, who?" "Not exactly, though I can make a guess. See Hovanness Galajian is wearing a tie. He might be one." The members of the jury must be credited for not having "leaked information" ahead of time. The intrigue was resolved at the due moment. The YPC prize-winners were; "Haik" weekly (for best transformation in 1998), and "Iravounk" (for the development of political satire through the heading "Comrade Panjouni’s Corner"), then Hovik Hoveyan, Editor-in-Chief of the National Radio’s main office of Literary-Artistic Programmes (for thematic loyalty), ITAR-TASS special correspondent Tigran Liloyan (for respecting facts and being well-informed), and NTV special correspondent Dmitriy Pisarenko (for timely coverage of events in Armenia broadcast abroad). But it was Tigran Liloyan’s response that send a cheerful blast through the audience. He quoted Leonid Brezhnev, a record-breaker in getting honourable regalia, that we do not work for prizes, but it is always gratifying when your work is appreciated.

Laura BAGHDASSARIAN