Development Journalism Award to Viivi Berghem, Benjamin Suomela and Jouni Koponen for the TV documentary Syyrian tytöt

The theme of the 2025 Development Journalism Award was crises and conflicts. In its evaluation criteria, the jury placed particular emphasis on new perspectives and an original way of telling the world, overlooked conflicts and the importance of being on site and present.

The award was won by Viivi Berghem, Benjamin Suomela and Jouni Koponen for the documentary Syyrian tytöt (Yle Ulkolinja).

Ulkolinja documentarist Viivi Berghem travelled to Syria to find out about the situation of women and girls in a country where the direction of the new regime remains unclear. In the documentary, Syrian women speak out about what it is like to be young in today's Syria.

According to the jury, Syyrian tytöt represents long-term journalism that requires resources but ultimately rewards the viewer. The jury was particularly pleased that the documentary brought local voices to the forefront and highlighted the current situation in a conflict that has been overlooked by the media.

“It is particularly important that local people are allowed to speak for themselves: there is no Western documentarist to explain how things are, but instead, people can share their experiences in their own voices," explains Irene Zidan, a former Middle East correspondent and communications expert.

"The documentary impressively reveals how difficult and problematic the situation in Syria remains and how solutions seem to be constantly leading out of the frying pan and into the fire," says Helsingin Sanomat journalist Tommi Nieminen.

The prize money is EUR 3,000.

Honourable mentions to Iikka Sorvali and Iiro Kerkelä

The jury also selected the winners of Honourable Mention. Iikka Sorvali and Iiro Kerkelä are awarded an honourable mention for their reportage on Sámi regions in the Ylioppilaslehti magazine titled Tien päässä. It looks at defence policy, infrastructure and Sámi territories at a time when security policy often trumps the rights of minorities.

The jury was delighted with the originality of the reportage and the way in which the impact of security policy on the everyday lives of the Sámi people is made visible:

"In the current debate on national security, it is also important to look at how local people are taken into account and involved in the decision-making process. The Sámi perspective on changes in the security environment will expand the debate," says Johanna Sumuvuori, Director of the European Centre of Excellence in Civilian Crisis Management.

"The story makes an important point that global journalism can also be done in Finland. It illustrates how the Defence Forces can transform entire regions through infrastructure projects, such as road projects," says Helsingin Sanomat journalist Tommi Nieminen.

In addition, the jury highlighted the important role of Ylioppilaslehti for the pluralism of the Finnish media scene.

Annual recognition for global journalism 

This is the sixth time the Development Journalism Award has been granted. The winner was chosen by an independent jury. The members of the panel were Anu Sajavaara (National Conciliator), Irene Zidan (communications expert and former Middle East correspondent), Johanna Sumuvuori (Director of the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management), Sami Kero (Helsingin Sanomat, photographer) and Tommi Nieminen (Helsingin Sanomat, journalist). 

The Finnish Red Cross, the Finnish Foundation for Media and Development Vikes, the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation and the Union of Journalists in Finland have established the Development Journalism Award to highlight high-quality and innovative journalistic publications that explore global themes and to increase the visibility of and appreciation for Finnish development journalism.