Journalists recognized at the seventh edition of the “Environmental Journalism Award”, with an endowment of RD$875,000

Massiel de Jesús was positioned as the Grand Winner, with an award of RD$500,000 for her work “Arrecifes de coral: bosques marinos bajo amenaza” (Coral reefs: marine forests under threat), published in El Dinero.

Dominican Republic. – Journalists from El Dinero, Listín Diario, Diario Libre and the portal MD Digital, were recognized in the seventh edition of the Environmental Journalism Award with an endowment of RD$875,000, sponsored by the Consorcio Eléctrico Punta Cana Macao (CEPM), InterEnergy Group, Energas and ECORED.

The “Grand Winner” category was won by Massiel de Jesús, journalist of El Dinero, for a series of works that seeks to make visible the importance of preserving the country’s coral reefs, due to their high ecological value and a global risk of disappearing by 70%.

Journalist Yadimir Morales of Listín Diario, was the winner of the Print and Digital Media category, with RD$100,000 for the series of reports “¿Quién paga el precio de la Moda?”, an investigation on how the industry is impacting the environmental spheres and discusses the sustainable alternatives that entrepreneurs apply to reduce its impact on the country.

Mayerlin Martínez Paredes, of the MD Digital portal was the winner in the “Local Media” category, for her publication on “Forest fires in La Altagracia; a crime against the environment and health”, in which she describes the repercussions of the smoke problem in the eastern region and the legal actions that may be taken against those responsible for the fires.

Likewise, journalist Rubi Esmeralda Morillo, from Listín Diario, who was selected in the Audiovisual Media category, for her work on the work of Dominican firefighters during a long season of more than 550 forest fires, received RD$100,000.00.

In addition, Dary Ramírez, a communications graduate from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, received the “Young Promise” award and RD$75,000 for her documentary “Güibia: The Lost Jewel”, which highlights the value of the coastal area located in Santo Domingo.

During the activity, special mention was made to journalists Mariela Mejía, María del Carmen Guillén and Joaquín Caraballo for their investigation entitled: “Las energías renovables en el SENI y sus desafíos”, a special report published in Diario Libre that analyzes the challenges and contributions of renewable energy plants to the National Interconnected Power System in the Dominican Republic.

Roberto Herrera, country manager of Interenergy Group, gave the welcoming remarks and highlighted the importance of the Environmental Journalism Award, as a benchmark in the generation of content that adds value to environmental issues through the media.

“Through initiatives such as the Environmental Journalism Award, we work in partnership with key organizations and stakeholders to promote environmental awareness, encourage reforestation projects and promote the conservation of our marine ecosystems, forests and water sources, with the aim of ensuring their preservation and availability for future generations,” said the executive.

In an effort to preserve the sustainability promoted by the award, CEPM and ECORED designed an eco-friendly environment and experience with the inclusion of trophies made from recycled materials, ornamental pieces made with organic elements and the elimination of plastic materials.

The jury was composed of Max Puig, Executive Vice President of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism, Ana Bélgica Güichardo, Director of the School of Communications of the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Óscar Peña, Director of the School of Communications of the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, Víctor Bautista, journalist and CEO of Mediáticos and previous winners of the PPA, Marvin del Cid and Carolina Pichardo.