The winners of the third edition of the "White Crane" competition were announced within the framework of the III Congress of Local Media of Mazovia. The self-government of the Mazovian Voivodeship, as the organizer, recognized the work of local and regional media journalists from across the region. This year, the competition was particularly intense: 151 entries were received, and the committee of experts awarded a total of 26 prizes and 15 commendations in 10 thematic and formal categories.
Main Winners
The most significant awards of this year's edition were the individual titles. The main award, "Journalist Personality of the Year," went to Jakub Bujnik from TVP3 Warszawa. As emphasized by the organizers, this journalist has for years successfully combined the specifics of working in digital media with the rigorous standards of a public broadcaster. He is currently one of the pillars of the station's editorial team, where he is responsible for news materials. His role is also key in hosting the flagship interventionist format "Reagujemy" (We Respond), where he coordinates public debates and contact with residents.
In turn, the title of "Young Journalistic Talent" was awarded to Jan Ochnio, associated with the "Jestem z Pruszkowa" portal. The award was given for his contribution to creating reliable regional journalism and the high level of substantive quality of materials created by young journalists. Ochnio's education as a geographer and climatologist allows him to analyze local issues in a broader environmental context. It is worth noting that this journalist was also nominated for an award in the Local Press 2025 competition of the Association of Local Newspapers.
Jury Work and Event Scale
The evaluation of the submitted works was conducted by a jury composed of respected experts from the media and academic fields. The chairman of the committee was Prof. Janusz Adamowski, a media researcher and former dean of the Faculty of Journalism, Communication and Library Science at the University of Warsaw. The panel included, among others, Filip Springer, a reporter and photographer, Anna Banasik, Deputy Head of PAP, and Dr. Tomasz Miłkowski, Chairman of the Board of the Warsaw Branch of the Association of Journalists of Poland.
In a statement, Voivode Adam Struzik emphasized that in an era of information overload, reliable local journalism is particularly significant as it builds residents' trust and strengthens social ties. For her part, Dr. Marta Milewska, spokesperson for the Voivodeship Marshal's Office and the initiator of the competition, noted that the high interest in the third edition proves that local media need such a space for integration and development.
The Literary Category Issue
Although the journalistic categories were extensive in this year's edition, the jury did not award a prize in the "book - local and regional non-fiction literature" category. This decision was officially confirmed in the final statement. The other categories included, among others, press and online texts (news, editorials, reports, interviews), audio and video materials, as well as the "Photo of the Year" award for photojournalists. Additionally, works on health, cultural-educational, and historical themes were distinguished.