Estonia

2024

In February 2024, the winners of the 2023 journalism awards were announced. They included several employees and publications of Ekspress Grupp:

The journalist of the joint editorial office of Delfi and Eesti Päevaleht, Vilja Kiisler, won the grand prize of the Estonian Association of Media Companies – Journalist of the Year 2023. She was recognised for covering a large variety of topics and her excellent interviewing skills.

Private individuals with a background in journalism, Hans H. Luik, Igor Rõtov and Jüri Ehasalu granted the Young Journalist Award. The young journalist of 2023 is the journalist of Eesti Ekspress, Ekvard Joakit.

The award for investigative journalism of the Swedish media group and newspaper Äripäev was shared: the winners are (i) the articles published by Estonian Public Broadcasting, which triggered and intensified the so-called eastern export scandal and (ii) the articles published in Eesti Päevaleht and Eesti Ekspress, which for the first time exposed the real behind-the scenes activities of the Slava Ukraini donation scandal and showed to whom, how and how much money was transferred. The authors of the articles are Holger Roonemaa, Herman Kelomees, Matthias Kalev, Anna Mõrunjuk and Martin Laine. The articles were published on 15 April “Wealthy Deputy Mayor of Lviv, nail technician and the “person of the year” of Estonia. The million-euro secret of Slava Ukraini” and on 19 May “Somebody needs to keep watch so that she does not rob good people.” How under the management of Johanna-Maria Lehtme the charity of Slava Ukraini became a business.”

With the Estonian Association of Press Photographers, the best video award was granted to Aleksander Algo, Daniel Leevik, Jasper Käänik from Delfi Meedia for their video “Serial protesters.”

The journalists of Õhtuleht, Risto Berendson, Helen Mihelson and Kadri Kuulpak wrote the best feature article. The articles were published in October, and they were “BIG SURVEY OF ÕHTULEHT: every fourth medical graduate disappears,” “WHERE HAVE ALL THE DOCTORS DISAPPEARED? | New Medical Director of the North Estonia Medical Centre: we compete with the Finns every single day,” “WHERE HAVE YOUNG DOCTORS DISAPPERED? | Half-jokingly saying, there is a hierarchy at the hospital: a doctor, a nurse, all kinds of hospital employees, a stool and then a medical student.”

2023

– In February 2023, the President of Estonia Alar Karis awarded the Order of the White Star, IV Class to Tarmo Vahter, a long-time journalist of Eesti Ekspress.

– Two cooperation projects of Martin Laine, journalist of Delfi Meedia, with other journalists belonging to the OCCRP (Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) were nominated for the finals of a pan-European investigative journalism contest named after Daphne Varuana Galizia. One finalist of this contest is also The Rotenberg Files, a project led by OCCRP and Russia’s independent publication iStories, based on leaked documents about the Rotenberg brothers who are oligarchs with close ties to Putin. Delfi Meedia was a partner also in this project.

– The winners of the Estonian Journalism Awards 2022 were announced also in February 2023:

The main award – Journalist of the Year 2022 – was won by the “Ukraine quartet” consisting of Roman Starapopov from Delfi Meedia, Jaanus Piirsalu from Postimees, as well as Anton Aleksejev and Kristjan Svirgsden from ERR which recognises all reporters who have been to Ukraine.
The award for investigative journalism, also known as the Bonnier Prize, went to Riin Aljas, Oliver Kund, Martin Laine, Holger Roonemaa, Tiina Kaukvere and Aleksander Algo, journalists from Eesti Päevaleht, Eesti Ekspress and Maaleht, for their series of articles on the dark side of the payday loan business.
The Young Journalist 2022 award was won by Martin Laine from Eesti Päevaleht.
The winner of the best feature story in Russian is Roman Starapopov with the series “Delfi in Ukraine” published in RusDelfi: DELFI IN UKRAINE | Soon this will be the second Mariupol. How people escape from shelling in Severodonetsk published on 1 April, PHOTO AND VIDEO | Officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – Delfi: “Fighting to become heavy in the near future. If we don’t hold out, Russia will come to you published on 5 May and We didn’t bury them, they’re lying there, go and collect them. The fields in the Kyiv region are covered with fallen Russian soldiers published on 17 May.
The award for the best opinion article in Russian language was won by Jevgenia Parv for her article “Change of pedagogical staff of Russian-language schools – it is not a problem, but an opportunity” published in RusDelfi on 15 November.
The winners of the Podcast Award are Eesti Ekspress journalists Aleksander Algo and Lauri Närep for the podcast FREEFLOW | The rapper’s road from Soundcloud to the concert stage in the Anniversary of the Republic in just a few years that aired on 14 May.
Multimedia Award went to Eesti Ekspress for the article INTERACTIVE VOYAGE | Escape from Ukraine whose authors are Greete Lehepuu, Rain Pruul, Mart Nigola, Anna Plukk and Kristina Õun, published on 27 June.
The nationwide news prize was won by the article of Holger Roonemaa and Urmas Jaagant “Tell him to get this darn bill approved by the parliament first. Uber files expose behind-the-scenes lobbying of the multinational corporation in Estonia” published in Eesti Päevaleht on 10 July.
The nationwide opinion prize was awarded to Andrei Šumakov with his opinion article LETTER TO RUSSIA ON MOTHER’S DAY | RusDelfi editor-in-chief Andrei Šumakov: Mom, turn off the TV! published in Eesti Päevaleht on 7 May.
The award for the best sports photo was won by Delfi Meedia’s photojournalist Kiur Kaasik for his photo Winning with blue-black-and-white – in the first round of the WTA tournament in Estonia, Kaia Kanepi scores a victory over southern neighbour Ostapenko, using a racket that, when photographed with long exposure, turned into the flag of Estonia.
The award for the best press video was won by Aleksander Algo, Andrei Jakubovitš and Daniel Leevik with the Delfi Meedia video From the job portal to the battlefield in which Delfi exposed how Russia recruits’ fighters for the war. Delfi TV studied how Russian army uses job portals to find workers and discovered that it was easier than expected.
In the open group of nationwide newspapers, the winner is Eesti Ekspress, graphic designer Tuuli Prees: Putin: something for the vegans, something for the cannibals.
The winner of the category of digital works is Eesti Ekspress (26 March 2022), Karl-Erik Leik and Anna Plukk: „Help, please. Instagram is flooded by pleas to find relatives from Mariupol trapped in the blockade”.

2022

The winners of the Estonian Journalism Awards 2021 were announced in February 2022.

The main award – Journalist of the Year 2021 – was won by Holger Roonemaa, a journalist of Eesti Päevaleht and Delfi.
Holger Roonemaa also won the Bonnier Prize, the investigative journalism prize handed out by Swedish media group Bonnier and business newspaper Äripäev, for the articles published in 2021 in Eesti Ekspress on lavish dinners of prime minister Jüri Ratas and alcoholic beverages purchased to be used in the prime minister’s car.
The award for nationwide news was won by Marvel Riik and Priit Pärnapuu for a series of articles published in Õhtuleht on corruption in North Tallinn City District
The award for nationwide feature article was won by Eero Epner, Mari Mets, Oliver Kund, Holger Roonemaa, Martin Laine, Riin Aljas, Georgi Abolõmov and Janno Zõbin for the series “Power of religion” that focused on the social and political impact of the church and was a joint project of Eesti Päevaleht and Levila.
The multimedia award was won by Holger Roonemaa, Oliver Kund, Imbi Võrel and Mart Nigola for the article “Superspreader: Varro Vooglaid adopted demagogic techniques described by his father” published in Eesti Päevaleht on April 16.
The award for nationwide opinion article was won by Andrei Šumakov with his article titled „RUSSIAN GLANCE | What should not be discussed on the Independence Day?“ published in Eesti Päevaleht on February 26.
The best feature photo was taken by Andres Putting from Delfi titled “In blue-black-and-white, on the red carpet and in sync towards the future”, published on October 11.
The winner of the digital articles was the article titled “Conquering of the South Pole: Gods demanded blood! Dogs, ponies and people had to die” published in Eesti Päevaleht on December 31, written by Mart Nigola, Heleri Kuris, Liisi Viskus and Ats Nukki.
The award for the best feature article in nationwide newspapers was won by Ivi Lipp and LT for a series of articles on the murderer Ustimenko published in Eesti Ekspress. The same article also won the grand prize for the design in the category of major newspapers.
The award for the best sports photo was won by Argo Ingver from Delfi for the photo of Sander Pritsik.

2021

In March 2021, the winners of the competition “Journalism Awards 2020” of the Estonian Association of Media Companies were announced. It included several employees and periodicals of Ekspress Grupp:

The journalists of Ekspress Meedia received the three highest press awards granted by the Estonian Association of Media Companies. Holger Roonemaa from the investigative editorial staff of Ekspress Meedia was named as the journalist of the year, Greete Lehepuu from Eesti Ekspress was named as the young journalist and Rein Raudvere from Maaleht received the lifetime award.
In the category of opinion articles in national newspapers, Ann-Marii Nergi received the award for her article published in Eesti Päevalehe LP on 4 July “JOURNALIST’S OPINION | Ann-Marii Nergi: A Prison Sentence for Covering a Court Hearing? Please Let Us Object!“, where she wrote about how journalists are excluded from important court hearings using a legal pretext which courts willingly use, and for the article published in Delfi Ärileht on 4 December titled “The Victory of the Press. The Decision of the Riigikogu: It was a Mistake to Prohibit Coverage of the Hearings Related to the Port“, where she wrote that the Supreme Court agreed with Eesti Päevaleht in that the public interest in the court case of the Port of Tallinn and corruption crimes in general is always larger, therefore, the arguments for prohibiting them should be very substantial. After a year and half in various court Instances, the Supreme Court also annulled the coverage prohibition related to the hearings of the Port of Tallinn.
The winner of the feature article category was Toivo Tänavsuu for his article published in Eesti Ekspress on 12 February “The Last Days of Agu Uudelepp: “I Gathered All My Strength to Say Good-bye to my Children“. Doctors told Agu Uudelepp who had lung cancer that his life expectancy would be one year, but he lived for four years. Tänavsuu wrote about what gave the head of the family so much strength and hope.
The winner of the major newspapers for coronavirus coverage is “Tartu Corona Madman’s Funny Adventures in Estonia“, published in Eesti Ekspress on 5 August which is a board game allowing one to travel through Estonia, infecting as many people as possible with the coronavirus. It was designed by Tarmo Rajamets and its illustrator is Heiki Ernits.
The winner of the open group of major newspapers is Tarmo Rajamets for the article published in Eesti Ekspress on 25 March “We’ll Get a Pay Rise!„ The layout humorously referred to the pay rise. Of the major newspapers, the monetary top prize was awarded to the same page of Eesti Ekspress in the design competition.
The winner of digital articles is the article published in Eesti Päevaleht “We Could Laugh and Cry. The Drama Theatre 100“, written by Liisi Viskus, Imbi Võrel, Anna Plukk and Mart Nigola. The article looks back at the theatre’s colourful past with exciting multi-media solutions.
The award for the best feature photo was given to Stanislav Moškov from Õhtuleht for his photo series “The National Ballet in Self-Isolation“.

2020

In March 2020, the Estonian Association of Media Companies announced the winners of “Press Awards 2019“. It included many employees and periodicals of Ekspress Grupp.

The winner in the multimedia category is the article published in Delfi on 29 March 2019 “This is How Films are Really Made: Take a Look How the Effect Magic of “Truth and Justice” was Born“, whose authors were Ra Ragnar Novod, Heleri Kuris, Ats Nukki, Mart Nigola, Madis Veltman, Kristi Helme and Mihkel Ulk.
The winner in the feature article category was Eero Epner with the article “Because They Can“ published in Eesti Ekspress on 8 May 2019. This article was also noticed and received recognition outside the media sector. Pärnu Women’s Asylum handed out the prize Okas for the first time to recognise the people who help to prevent domestic violence. The first Okas was awarded to Eesti Ekspress journalist Eero Epner for this article that received a lot of public attention.
The winners in the feature article category of nationwide newspapers were Ants Nukki and Tarmo Rajamets for their article “Because They Can” published in Eesti Ekspress on 8 May 2019.
The winners in the visual communication category of nationwide newspapers were Eiko Ojala and Tarmo Rajamets for the illustration “Silencing of Officials” published in Eesti Ekspress on 11 December 2019.
The winner in the news category was Mikk Salu for his article published in Eesti Ekspress on 13 February 2019 “The Great Lie: Rainer Vakra’s Thesis is Plagiarism“.

In February 2020, the investigative press award, the Bonnier Prize, for 2019 was awarded to the journalists of Eesti Ekspress and the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR). The winners were Sulev Vedler from Eesti Ekspress and Anna Pihl from the ERR for their coverage of the listeria topic.

At the beginning of 2020, the Estonian Association of Press Photographers announced its awards at the best press photo competition. The winner of the best feature photo was Priit Simson of Ekspress Meedia for the photo series “Different Kinds of Neighbours”. The photo series was made of the houses seemingly “glued” to each other in Pelgulinna district.

The winners of the 2020 the investigative press award, the Bonnier Prize were the articles published in Õhtuleht on how the Minister of Education at the time, Mailis Reps, allowed her children to be driven around at the taxpayer’s expense. The authors of the articles published in Õhtuleht are Stass Kuznetsov, Helen Mihelson, Risto Berendson and Robin Roots.

2019

In February 2020, journalists from public broadcaster ERR and investigative weekly Eesti Ekspress won the Bonnier Prize for Investigative Journalism. The awards went to Sulev Vedler from Eesti Ekspress and Anna Pihl of ERR, for their coverage of a Listeria outbreak at a fish-packing firm.

At the beginning of 2020, the Estonian Association of Press Photographers announced its awards at the best press photo competition.

The winners of the press photo of the year for 2019 were Robin Roots from Õhtuleht and Rauno Volmar (Eesti Päevaleht / Delfi) with news stream photos. In
the category of feature photos, Priit Simson (Eesti Päevaleht), Krõõt Tarkmeel (Anne&Stiil) and Robin Roots (Õhtuleht) were the nominees.

In 2019, Ekspress Media came in 8th (2018: 7th) among the students of humanitarian studies in the survey of the most attractive employers by Instar.

The work of Ekspress Group’s journalists was also noticed and recognised outside the media sector. Pärnu Women’s Asylum handed out the prize Okas for the first time to recognise the people who help to prevent domestic violence. The prize Okas was awarded to Eesti Ekspress journalist Eero Epner who this year wrote the article “Because They Can” dealing with domestic violence that
received a lot of media attention.

Out of 37 videos submitted to the competition “The Press Video of the Year 2019”, two Delfi TV videos received an award:

Delfi TV video: “Mommies into shape: how plasticsurgeons target young mothers” made by Piia Osula, Kadri Nikopensius, Joonatan Allandi and Georg Madis Puhm. The audio-visual opinion story deals with a set of beauty procedures “Mommy makeover” that is gaining popularity and that encourage women who have given birth recently to gain their pre-pregnancy shape.

Delfi video ”Mirkko Moisar’s 10 rounds: a story abouthow to stay on one’s feet up in the boxing ring” made by Jaanus Lensment. The video shows a competition held at Tondiraba ice-skating hall on 18 February where an eight-man tournament was held in Estonia for the first time. The winner of the tournament had to step into the ring three times during the night, with each boxing match lasting for 3×3 minutes

2018

In March 2019, the Estonian Newspaper Association announced the winners of “Press Awards 2018” which included several employees and periodicals of Ekspress Group.

The journalist of the year 2018 was Tarmo Vahter (Eesti Ekspress).
Joosep Tiks won the Estonian Young Journalist Award for 2018 (Eesti Päevaleht).
The winner of the lifetime award was Silja Lättemäe (Maaleht).
The winner in the feature article category was Tarmo Vahter with his story “Who the hell is building the Estonian state when nobody is supposed to know anything?” that was published in Eesti Ekspress on 20 June.
The best feature article was “The death of the writer” written by Madis Jürgen and Tarmo Vahter that was published in Eesti Ekspress on 10 December and 27 December.
The best sports photo of the year was taken by Martin Ahven from Õhtuleht: “Harsh Measures”.
The best video title was awarded to Delfi TV’s “Generation shift: the Estonian first social network10 years later”.
In the category of layout of nationwide newspapers, the nominee was Õhtuleht.
The winner in the feature stories category of nationwide newspapers was the cover story “Therewas no need for sexual education during the Soviettime as the fiction helped young people” that was published in Eesti Ekspress Areen on 7 March.
The winner in the visual communication category of nationwide newspapers was the photo story “Morning stretch of the sun wheel above Estonia” that was published in Õhtuleht on 2 June.
The winner of the open group was the special edition of Õhtuleht from 31 December “The Year of Fights”.
The winner in the category of article views of digital newspapers was Eesti Ekspress.

In February 2019, Estonia’s most important investigative press award, the Bonnier Prize, for 2018 was jointly awarded to Eesti Ekspress journalist Kirsti Vainküla and Estonian Public Broadcasting journalist Merilin Pärl. Their stories talk about a small boy known as Martin whose adoption caused problems due to the bias of child protection specialists.