Press Release
Comments on 2007 Award by Boris Jordan, President and CEO, The Sputnik Group
November 5, 2007
"It is easy and pleasant to speak the truth ..." These are the words of Yeshua, a hero of the novel Master and Margarita by the brilliant Russian novelist, Mikhail Bulgakov. Personally, I quite like the philosophical underpinnings of this wise dictum, but most unfortunately, in real life, everything is not that easy. It is often not easy to speak the truth, often not pleasant, and sometimes it's downright dangerous. This is especially true in journalism. For that, one must have personal courage, a firm civic stance, a sense of professional honor. Here I would like to remember the name of my friend Paul Klebnikov, who for me, and for many others, was, and will be, the symbol of integrity, of a fearless, professional, and most importantly, independent journalism. It is of great significance that after his death, the Paul Klebnikov Fund is guided in its work by the same ethical principles, offering its prize to journalists of talent and courage.
The subject of ecology is one of the most pressing in our day; it recognizes no state boundaries, no national interests. It is a subject vital to the future preservation of all humanity. Scientists have been long sounding the alarm, and yet modern society seems to take a rather lighthearted approach to the problem. As for civil servants, well for many of them the truth about ecological problems in their regions is more frightening than the nuclear wastes and toxic gases themselves. This is because they are at times governed by the desire for immediate gain, neglecting that heaviest of prices in payment — the health of one's people.
We all want to live on a green planet, breathe fresh air, and drink clean water. But for this, we must know the truth, no matter how bitter that may be. I can only express my sincere joy for the fact that this year, the awardee of the Paul Klebnikov Prize for Journalistic Excellence is Vitaly Lipik, ecological journalist from Belarus. I would like to wish him further success! And certainly the continued ability to speak the truth for the benefit of his country and the entire planet!
"Vitaly Lipik started his professional life as a scientist, and with tremendous bravery has resolved to serve a greater good as a journalist by exposing environmental threats to public welfare," said Musa Klebnikov, Executive Director of the Paul Klebnikov Fund. "Vitaly's journalism is of immense importance to the future of the region's environment and public health, as well as evolution of civil society. It is significant that he uses an online magazine as his primary outlet."
