25 Years of Georgiy Gongadze’s Legacy: Honoring Freedom and Independent Journalism in Ukraine

Georgiy Gongadze. Facebook page: Myroslava Gongadze.

25 years since the tragic murder of Georgiy Gongadze – a symbol of resilience and freedom of speech in Ukraine. In 2019, in his memory they established the Georgiy Gongadze Prize, which honors independent journalists who contribute to professional development and uphold the principles of journalism. Below are the main thoughts of laureates from various years, which reveal the role of freedom and independence in the Ukrainian media community.

7 quotes from Georgiy Gongadze Prize laureates about freedom and independence

“I must tell you that there is a lot of work ahead for both me and you. The idea is an independent Ukraine. This award gives me the motivation to keep working, to work, to work”

“I don’t know why – this is in no way connected to my previous experience or family – but I was deeply impressed by the stories of people who served time for their ideas. And somehow I latched onto the post-dissident circle”

“Journalism is the work of people who care. Many will say that we inform, explain why, retell stories. And that is true. But this is not enough. If we care, we are a platform for discussions, positions, and arguments, not for shouting at each other. If we are not indifferent as journalists, we influence the change of political culture in the country. If we are not indifferent, we become part of the fight for democracy, part of the struggle for Ukrainian statehood. If we are not indifferent, we are part of the fight for human dignity”

“Before the appearance of Ukraïner I felt myself to be a minority. A person who tries from within to change journalistic ethics, to tell about internal corruption. This prize honors a journalist who also felt like a minority among colleagues […] The uncompromising stance on cooperation with the enemy, Russian colonialism, Ukrainian identity – this is what we inherited from Georgiy Gongadze. The prize is a vote of trust and responsibility for this legacy”

” I often rely in my profession and in life on Giya’s obsession: when I encounter moral neutrality, when I encounter an inability to distinguish good from evil in the media environment or simply in society. Why do I say this? Because few professions require making moral-ethical choices as often as our profession. Few professions allow such a broad defense of truth and justice. And conversely: few professions give the possibility to broadcast lies on such a scale. Few professions give the opportunity to create a sense of unity”

“Our work and what we did in Mariupol – this really was exemplary, because we have to convey to the world what is happening. To show people the part they cannot see. I do my job not for awards, I do it for people. So that the world knows what is happening in our country”

“When the Internet appeared, everyone thought it would be a space for everyone to communicate, that there would be no censorship. But we found ourselves in a situation where freaks could unite, each person ends up in their own warm bath of information. We live in a space of content competition, where betrayal sells better than victory. Winning in the majority is easy, and winning in the minority is perhaps the very thing one could dedicate a life to”

Independent journalism leaves a mark on civic space and shapes the standard of responsibility. The memory of Georgiy Gongadze lives on through every journalist who upholds ethics, courage, and the pursuit of truth – these values define the future of Ukraine’s media organizations and public trust.