First All-Russia journalist contest "Russia's patriot" ends

Moscow hosted the ceremony of awarding the winners of an All-Russian contest of mass media "Russia's patriot", organized by the country's ministries of press and defense. It was held for the first time in the post-Soviet Russia.

84 TV and radio broadcasting companies and 156 editorial offices took part in the final stage of the competition. They submitted to the jury 197 TV and radio programs and about 4,000 newspaper and magazine articles.

The first prize "For deep, vivid and systematical reflection of patriotism" was awarded to the Trud newspaper and the Boyevoye Bratstvo magazine. Special diplomas in different nominations were awarded to the staff of the Radio Russia state company and the journalists of the ORT TV channel "Pervy Kanal".

Speaking at the solemn ceremony, president of Russia's National Association of TV and Radio Broadcasters Eduard Sagalayev called the contest "a new remarkable tradition". In his words, the purpose of the competition is to make everybody understand that they don't have to feel embarrassed to speak of their love for Russia openly.