The prestigious awards celebrate the best in radio, print, video, and podcast reporting, with ten journalists taking home top honors this year.
The competition saw 175 submissions, with a jury selecting four nominees per category before naming the winners. "These entries showcase the breadth of our interests as documentarians and journalists working in and on Poland," said Bartosz Panek, director of the Polish Radio Reportage Studio.
Top awards
- Historical, Biographical, Artistic Documentary – Magda Skawińska (Polish Radio Reportage Studio) for "Węzełek", a multi-layered story about loss and the search for home, enriched by unique audio storytelling.
- Audio Documentary or Reportage Series – Agnieszka Szwajgier and Dorota Salus (Radio 357) for "Kryptoscam", recognized for its deep dive into fraud mechanisms and meticulous emotional sensitivity.
- Social, Investigative, or Intervention Reportage – Katarzyna Michalak (Polish Radio Lublin) for "Maski", a compelling look into the world of coma patients, praised for its minimalist yet powerful audio design.
- Best Audio Production – Piotr Król (Polish Radio Lublin) for his sound work on "Jeszcze jedna zima" and "Maski", demonstrating masterful use of sound to evoke the fragility of life and death.
- Best Print/Online Reportage – Przemysław Wilczyński (Tygodnik Powszechny) for "Nasze dzieci, nasza sprawa", a powerful exposé on institutional failures affecting vulnerable children.
- Best Podcast – Adrian Bąk (Radio 357) for "Bunt. Decydujący bój o ziemię", a gripping account of one of the world’s most pressing socio-environmental struggles.
- Best Video Reportage – Ewa Galica (TVN) for "Krąg Putina. Tajemnice rosyjskich majątków w Europie", an investigative piece uncovering the hidden financial dealings of Russia’s elite amid the ongoing war.
- Creator of the Year – Artur Giordano, a sound engineer, composer, and mentor, lauded for his artistic and technical contributions to the audio community.
- Special Award – Anna Dudzińska (Polish Radio Three, formerly Radio 357), honored for "Saamowie. Wyrzut sumienia Skandynawii" and "Siedem taktów od sławy", recognized for her storytelling mastery.
The Melchiory Awards, named after legendary Polish journalist Melchior Wańkowicz, aim to celebrate excellence in reportage while bridging traditional radio with digital journalism. Organized by the Polish Radio Reportage Studio, the competition is open to journalists from Polish Radio, regional stations, and independent media professionals.
The Melchior award. Photo: Cezary Piwowarski
This year’s jury included renowned journalists such as Karolina Wigura-Kuisz, Magdalena Rigamonti, Tomasz Sekielski, and Paweł Reszka. The winners received Melchiory statuettes and cash prizes, with the total prize pool exceeding PLN 100,000 ($26,000).
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Source: Polskie Radio