Bosnian Journalist wins Prize

Bosnian Sefik Dautbegović was awarded the 2006 “Writing for CEE” journalism prize in Vienna. He won the 5,000 euro award for his article “My Country – Which Road to Europe?”

Journalism prize for understanding and integration

The “Writing for Central Europe” journalism prize is awarded each year by the Austrian Press Agency (APA) and Bank Austria-Creditanstalt to encourage mutual understanding and the integration of Central and Eastern European countries. This year’s prize winner is Bosnian journalist Sefik Dautbegović.

“My Country – Which Road to Europe?”

“The award very intentionally encourages journalists from non-EU countries to apply and acknowledges in particular articles that help break down borders and prejudices”, said APA editor in chief Michael Lane in his eulogy. Dautbegović won the 5,000 euro award for his article “My Country – Which Road to Europe?”

“Incompetence of politicians slows progress”

In his article, he criticizes the inability of politicians in Bosnia-Herzegovina to deal with the country’s real problems, thereby holding up Bosnia-Herzegovina’s progress towards the European Union. He also describes the lethargy of the country due to the huge number of state institutions and agencies – a legacy of the Dayton Peace Accord.

“European Champion: 180 ministries in Bosnia-Herzegovina”

At least we are champions in one thing in Europe: we have 180 government ministries”, writes Dautbegović. He portrays Europe as an old lady who is courting Bosnia, but whom Bosnia cannot succeed in charming. Sefik Dautbegović was born in 1948 in Prozor, Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has been working for the Bosnian daily newspaper “Oslobodjenje” and other media since 1973. At the award ceremony he expressed his regret that the three ethnic groups of Bosnians, Serbs and Croats are still “pulling in three different directions”.

“Writing for CEE – 2007”

His article was selected from sixty texts from 12 countries and can be read on the Internet at  www.apa.at/cee-award. Entry conditions and information on the 2007 “Writing for CEE” prize can also be found under this link.
“Oslobodjenje” daily newspaper (Bosnian)

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daily newspaper „Oslobodjenje“ (bosnisch)