Journalists from Radio Free Europe have achieved recognition at the 2026 Honor of the Profession journalism awards, securing victories in two categories.
The award for Best Interview was won by journalist Iryna Sysak, along with operator Pavlo Kholodov and director Maryna Polishyna, for their piece titled “Conversations with Russians in Chat Roulette: War, History, and Russian Propaganda. An Interview with Vitalii Dribnitsia.” This work explores the complexities of Russian narratives surrounding the ongoing conflict.
In the category of Best Investigation, the film “Bucha Yablunska,” created by Dmytro Zhulai and his co-authors, including Yevhen Lubchak (graphics), Vladyslav Yatskiv (producer), Pavlo Kholodov, and Volodymyr Pautov (operator), was awarded. This investigation delves into significant events in Bucha, shedding light on the impact of the war on the local population.
This year, the Honor of the Profession awards received a total of 790 submissions across various categories. A selection committee and jury evaluated these entries to determine the winners, highlighting the quality and depth of journalistic work being produced.
In total, five pieces from Radio Free Europe made it to the shortlist for this year’s awards, reflecting the organization’s commitment to thorough investigative journalism.
Radio Free Europe journalists have garnered two prestigious awards at the 2026 Honor of the Profession ceremony, recognizing their contributions in the fields of interviews and investigative reporting. Their work addresses critical issues related to the ongoing conflict and its broader implications.