SWR journalist Sigrid Born-Berg awarded the Bernd Tönnies Prize
SWR editor Sigrid Born-Berg is the winner of the Bernd Tönnies Prize. The expert jury from Tönnies Research presented her with the award during the 5th symposium on Monday evening in Berlin's Spreespeicher. The SWR editor receives one of the most valuable media prizes for her TV report "Ethics or label fraud - organic meat between animal welfare and free riders". The non-profit Tönnies Research invited representatives from science, media, NGOs, politics, industry and trade to the top-class event.
In the jury's statement, it was said that Born-Berg, with a great deal of sensitivity, succeeded in taking the viewers on an informative and trend-setting roller coaster ride of emotions in their television report, without raising the index finger. Unanimously decided by the jury, Born-Berg therefore receives the "Bernd Tönnies Prize for Animal Welfare in Livestock Farming 10.000", endowed with 2020 euros, for her contribution. The author prevailed against numerous competitors from well-known media houses. This year saw more submissions than ever since the award was launched in 2011.
The journalist was honored by the non-profit Tönnies Research in March 2020, but was only able to accept the award at the “Tönnies Research Symposium” in Berlin, which was postponed several times due to the corona situation. The concern of Tönnies research is the improvement of animal welfare and animal protection in livestock farming. This also includes the responsible handling of the farmer with the animal and the consumer with the meat product. The viewers were able to assure themselves that it is precisely these issues that are on Born-Berg's mind and that she pointed out in her contribution to the question: "Is the organic seal a guarantee of a dignified animal life?" Produced by Saarland radio and broadcast on ARD at prime time shortly before Christmas 2019, the author managed to show excellent craftsmanship and use the entire journalistic toolbox in 45 minutes.
What is special about the post? “Whenever the viewer wants to throw in the towel for organic meat because of the EU regulations, which seem completely inadequate for animal welfare, and the images shown, the author picks us up again and shows the good guys in the industry and how it can work,” explains laudator and jury member Martina Lenk, who heads the journalistic training course at the ARD.ZDF media academy, the largest trainer for media professionals in Germany.
In addition to infographics, contributions by scientists, experts and viewers, as well as extreme images and abysses, Born-Berg repeatedly shows constructive elements and ideas on how a rethinking of animal husbandry can succeed instead of "business as usual": How for example male chicks can be reared economically, how chicken coops and fresh green go together and how the consumer can make a difference and lend a hand. “The winner deals with many issues that concern society and each and every one of us. It simply hits the nerve of the times. The basis for this is, among other things, scientifically verifiable research findings, the aim of which is to improve animal welfare. That's what we stand for, that's what we support and that's why we're very happy about the excellent winning entry. This corresponds exactly to the claim of Clemens Tönnies and the members of the Board of Trustees to initiate social debates and provide impetus,” emphasizes Mechthild Bening, member of the Board of Trustees and jury.
Caption: Martina Lenk (jury member), award winner Sigrid Born-Berg, Mechthild Bening (Tönnies research) and Clemens Tönnies.
