Christian Sywottek, editor at the magazine brand eins, receives Journalistenpreis Bürgerschaftliches Engagement (journalist prize for social commitment) – Series award goes to editors at Stuttgarter Zeitung

Stuttgart – 8 December 2007 – For the tenth time, Robert Bosch Stiftung is awarding the Journalistenpreis Bürgerschaftliches Engagement. The first prize endowed with 5,000 euros goes to Christian Sywottek for his article „Aus dem Nichts“ (From Nowhere) which was published in the magazine brand eins. Jan-Geert Wolff at Rhein Main Presse receives the second prize endowed with 3,000 euros for his article „Der Musikmann kommt!“ (The Musicman Comes). The third prize and 2,000 euros go to Bernd Volland from the magazine stern for „Am Anfang stand der Traum“ (In the Beginning, there was the Dream). Markus Wanzeck receives the Marion-Dönhoff-Förderpreis (3,000 euros) for „Profit macht nur der Kiez“ (Only the District Profits), which was published in taz. Local affairs editors Michael Ohnewald and Thomas Faltin from Stuttgarter Zeitung share the series prize (5,000 euros) for their article series „Die Engagierten“ (The Socially Committed). A total of 18.000 euros in prize money is awarded.

The Journalistenpreis Bürgerschaftliches Engagement has been awarded since1998.
More than 1000 entries were submitted since then, and more than 80 journalists received the prize. A record number of 130 entries were submitted in this anniversary year. „The many excellent articles on honorary social commitment not only describe how people can make a difference themselves and together with others,
but also communicate the pride and joy people take in doing so. And joy is the best advertisement for others to do the same,“ said Dieter Berg, Chairman of the Robert Bosch Stiftung Board of Management. Poverty and job insecurity, but also life in old age, were central themes this year, he added.

„We need journalists who really want to know, really put us under pressure and grill us, and subject our intervention in public affairs to public control,“ laudator Christina Rau said during the award ceremony in Stuttgart, adding that this is good for quality and transparency and creates trust among those, “whose support we want to win”.

Ten years of experience with this journalism prize and the growing importance of voluntary social commitment theme persuaded Robert Bosch Stiftung to extend the prize to radio, television and online media journalism from 2008 onwards.

The Journalistenpreis Bürgerschaftliches Engagement of Robert Bosch Stiftung is advertised every year. It aims to generate more public awareness for the voluntary social initiatives of citizens in their communities. The prize is awarded for articles, reports or commentaries that show in exemplary form why and how people take on responsibility for themselves and others.