Awarding independent Russian journalism in wartime – Redkollegia’s evolution from prestigious award to financial lifeline

Russian journalists who have challenged authorities with their reporting have been working under pressure for many years. However, nothing can be compared to the  impact of Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the censorship that followed, which forced many to leave the country or work under anonymity. More recently and unexpectedly, independent journalism was hit by the U.S. funding freeze, which triggered a ripple effect across journalism support organizations worldwide. This includes Russian journalists and media outlets who want to report about the war and its consequences as true to their professions. 

Despite all these struggles, independent Russian journalists keep producing insightful reporting and investigations,  even from inside Russia. Many stories might not have gotten the attention they deserved if it weren’t for the Redkollegia (which translates to “Editorial board”). Since 2016, when it was established in response to the emerging crackdown on independent media funding,  this media award honours reporting made by Russian journalists. 

How it works

The award manages a pool of experts, who sift through numerous Russian media daily and shortlist the most insightful pieces on Redkollegia’s website and social media channels. The key criterion is that the articles must be informative rather than opinion-based. Then, every month, Redkollegia’s nine board members – Russian journalists and editors with extensive media experience, chosen through a mix of expert nominations, editors, past award winners and nominees, and public voting – step in to select the winners. 

The shortlist serves as the primary selection pool, though the jury is free to pick a piece that wasn’t included. On a monthly basis, the jury then awards three authors. With the support of the Zimin Foundation, a total of €10,000 is allocated for the awards each month, with the jury deciding how to distribute the sum among the winners. It is always awarded to completed pieces.

Who deserves the award in wartime

In addition to budget cuts and being under constant threat of criminal persecution if reporting about Russia, the February 2022 all-out invasion polarised the Russian media landscape. This shift is also reflected in the award. While Sergei Parkhomenko, Redkollegia’s manager and board member, says that the concept of the award hasn’t changed with the war, he acknowledges that it has led to many discussions about who is eligible to receive it.

One of the most heated debates centred around the award given to the late Russian journalist Nikita Tsitsagi for his report on the evacuation of the Russian town of Shebekino, near the Ukraine border, in June 2023. He was killed a year later in Donbas during a Ukrainian drone attack while working for publications that supported the invasion. “War is the most important topic that Russian journalism works on,” Parkhomenko says. “War has changed our entire lives. People change their attitudes.” 

This debate has raised the question of what the editorial board jury evaluates when awarding the prize. “We believe, and this view has prevailed after many discussions, that [when] we assess the work, we evaluate a specific text,” he adds. “We judge the specific result of journalistic work, not the author’s personality.”

Recognition that brings harm 

Over the past decade, and especially since the 2022 invasion, the Russian state has increasingly sought out “enemies”. One of the key strategies has been the introduction of a labelling system that designates individuals and institutions as “foreign agents” and certain groups as “unwanted organizations.”

In the past three years, these designations have, in some circles, become an uneasy “badge of honour,” signalling that one is “doing their job right.” However, they also bring significant legal burdens and restrictions. In the media world, these challenges mainly affect funding and reporting. Outlets struggle to raise money through advertisements or donations, as donors risk being compromised. Journalists also face increased hesitation when reaching out to sources.

Redkollegia openly highlights, nominates and awards stories from media outlets carrying these labels, most of which now operate from abroad, and even some board members have been designated as “foreign agents”. At the same time, the award often recognizes the work of journalists still working in Russia. Since this recognition could expose them to risk, before announcing the award publicly, the jury consults with the winners to determine whether they want their names disclosed. More and more authors choose to remain anonymous, Parkhomenko notes. “Every month, the number grows,” he says. “But that doesn’t stop us from paying them the monetary award. For journalists who rely on their work to make a living and don’t earn much, this money is important.” He adds that the board ensures the funds reach recipients, even when they are in Russia and face technical difficulties in receiving payments. “We always find a way to make sure the money gets into the right account,” he says. 

A reference point for financial support

The award board also manages two funds, both financed by the Zimin Foundation. One provides immediate assistance to journalists facing urgent needs, such as relocating, medical emergencies, or financial crises. The other supports media outlets, originally created after Russia banned media designated as “foreign agents” from earning advertising revenue. Now, with the Trump administration freezing funding for foreign media projects, this fund has launched a new initiative to assist affected outlets. “The total volume of requests far exceeds Redkollegia’s resources, and we won’t be able to bridge this gap,” Parkhomenko acknowledged.

However, he believes that in the current climate, the award could support journalists in a new way. Over the years, Parkhomenko considers it has built a strong reputation among European organisations, and sees an opportunity for the board to serve as a “hub” that can identify Russian journalists in need of financial support.

One possibility is for the board to assist in evaluating scholarship applicants or selecting candidates for specific awards. “We’ve already received such proposals, and I expect more to come,” Parkhomenko says. “Everyone understands that these awards are not just an honour, they are also a form of financial support.”

Source of the cover photo: Luis Quintero via Pexels

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