Sponsored by the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC), the Primero de Mayo Journalism Award has already gone through four decades in its efforts to honor the outstanding work of professionals in the written, radio and television media throughout the country.
Precisely in homage to these 40 years, the juries of the different categories of the contest proposed to award a Special Prize that went to the group of journalists of the weekly workerswho reported the disaster that occurred at the Matanzas Supertanker Base.
The decision was based on the agile and enriching coverage with which these colleagues reflected the stories of heroism and solidarity of those who faced —throughout the island and other parts of the world, together with the people of Matanzas— the dramatic days lived in that accident.
Likewise, by unanimous decision, these juries agreed to award the Grand Prize of the contest to the director and journalist of the Perla Visión television station, Ismary Barcia Leyva, author of a comprehensive report that gathers together the efforts carried out by the workers, innovators and rationalizers in the maintenance of the Cienfuegos Thermoelectric, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, for its entry back into the national electrical system.
Through reports, chronicles, life stories…, the participants from 13 provinces sent some 765 works, among which stood out for their high number, those of the written press with 598.
Here they were awarded, Lilian Knight of the magazine Bohemia with “Fire in Matanzas”, a comprehensive and documented report on the incident at the Supertanker Base in that province; Yuniel Labacena Romero, from the newspaper rebel youthfor the material “Crooked paths of everyday life”.
Also the journalists of the weekly workersFrancisco Rodríguez Cruz for “Communicate is law” —referring to the Social Communication Law project—, Alina Mena Lotti for “Tania Crombet Eterna Dissatisfied” —collects the consecrated work of a scientist—, and Yimel Díaz Malmierca with “Aureliano, the who became president”, a documented, precise and innovative analysis of the presidential program of the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro.
Likewise, they received mention: Daniel Martínez, Jorge Luis Coll, Ana Margarita González and Joel García, all from the weekly workers.
Awards in Radio and Television
Of the 116 works that the jury analyzed in the radio category, the following received the Award: Yeris del Sauzal Francisco and Lisandra Gómez Guerra, from Radio Holy Spirit, authors of “Giving light to life”. Lisandra was also awarded for the report “Desafinaciones de un empresa”.
The winners were also Michel García Pérez, from Radio Camoafor the radio documentary “Historia de un inventor” and Miguel Díaz Nápoles, from Radio Las Tunas and director of the trilogy “Historias de vida”.
In the same way, five mentions were awarded: Lisandra Gómez Guerra (Radio saints)Luis Enrique Escobar (Radio Chaparra), Nileyan Reyes (The voice of the coastfrom Mayabeque), Manuel Olivares (Radio Rebelde) and Eva Miró (Radio Progress).
Regarding the television category, the jury awarded Yaremi Madero Ponce (TV Mayabeque), author of the report on the recovery of the brandy column of the Héctor Molina Power Plant carried out by the innovators and rationalizers of that center.
The journalist Abdiel Bermúdez Bermúdez, from the Information Services of Cuban Television (SITVC) for the objectivity and creativity with which he was able to describe the fatal events that occurred at the Hotel Zaratoga, in Havana, and at the Supertanker Base, in Matanzas.
As well as Hilda Cárdenas Conyedo, from TV Villa Clara, author of a series of works about the gestures of recognition and human solidarity of the workers who led the recovery at the Matanzas Supertanker Base from the damages of the hurricane. Ian, in Pinar del Río and the explosion at the Hotel Zaratoga, in the capital.
Several mentions recognized journalists Luis Evideio Martínez, from TV Villa Clara; José de Jesús Singh Castillo, from the SITVC, and Ismary Barcia Leyva, from Perla Visión in Cienfuegos.
With the presence of Isdali Rodríguez Rodríguez, member of the Central Committee of the PCC and second secretary of the CTC, Ricardo Ronquillo Bello, president of the Union of Journalists of Cuba and prominent figures of the Cuban press, the First of May Award offered special recognition to the juries who during 40 editions have maintained a commendable job.
Among the honorees were the founders, Magalis García Moré, Fredy Moro, Víctor Joaquín Ortega, Néstor Pardiño, José Alejandro Rodríguez, Fernando Rodríguez Sosa and the recently deceased Julio Batista.
The award ceremony featured a performance by the prestigious singer María Victoria Rodríguez.
(Cover image: From left to right: Alberto Núñez, director of the newspaper workers; Yuniel Labacena, journalist from rebel youth and Magaly Garcia More, Jose Marti National Journalism Award. Photo:Alejandro Acosta He would do it).