“We have chosen Sharanya Deepak’s proposal because it deals with a topical and globally relevant issue. Worldwide we see how journalism today is under threat. Eroding business models, digital fragmentation, declining credibility, state censorship, or, in the case of India, political pressure on journalists, are matters of concern for the entire media industry. The story of the over twenty journalists from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, who under daily deprivations and dangers continue to uphold the basic virtue of journalism in a democracy – critically questioning the powerful – is important to readers to understand how journalism works in spite of everything. In addition, the reportage can serve as an inspiration for professional colleagues worldwide.”

– Daniel Puntas Bernet, Editor-in-Chief, Reportagen