CNEWA won a total of 58 media awards for ONE magazine and the agency website and blog at the annual Catholic Media Conference, held this year in Atlanta from 18-21 June. This record-breaking year for CNEWA comes as ONE, the agency’s flagship, celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Below is a complete list of CNEWA’s awards, as well as several award-winning photographs and select comments by the panel of judges who assessed this year’s nominations. Congratulations to all our contributors.
“I was impressed by the global sweep of the coverage in these issues. Important, topical and vivid coverage from some of the most troubled corners of the world combined with strong messages of faith and resilience.”
Our Big Winners
No Turning Back
article by Gohar Abrahamyan, photographs by Nazik Armenakyan, layout by Paul Grillo
“This piece is informative, has excellent eye-catching photos, and sends an emotional message straight into the heart of readers. The design of this piece adds to its effectiveness. The writing is outstanding and thoroughly descriptive. It is a wholly masterful article.”
First: Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Solidarity
First: Best Photograph, Immigration/Migration: “Forced From Home”
Second: Best Layout or Article Column, Mission Magazine, Overseas and Home
Second: Best Feature Article, Mission Magazines
Second: Best Photograph, Feature: “No Turning Back”
Second: Best Photograph, General News: “Forced From Home”
Second: Best Photograph, Immigration/Migration: “No Turning Back”
Third: Best Multiple Picture Package, Feature
Third: Best Story and Photo Package, By Two Individuals or More
Honorable Mention: Best Photograph, General News: “No Turning Back”
Honorable Mention: Best Photograph, Immigration/Migration: “Requesting Entry”
Finding God in Times of War
article by Barb Fraze, photographs and video by Konstantin Chernichkin
“This piece encapsulates the topic with remarkable precision, resembling a reflection in water of the ongoing events. Its power is undeniable, resonating deeply with viewers.”
First: Best Story and Photo Package, By Two Individuals or More
First: Best Multiple Picture Package, Feature
Third: Best Photograph, Portrait: “Portrait of a Wounded Soldier”
Honorable Mention: Best Web and Print Package
Honorable Mention: Best Photograph, Immigration/Migration: “A Sad Goodbye”
Targeted Twice
article by Gohar Abrahamyan, photographs and video by Nazik Armenakyan, layout by Paul Grillo, video produced by Laura Ieraci and Olivia Poust and edited by David Bratnick and Olivia Poust
“Beautiful reporting. Beautiful photography. The topic is timely and this piece is full of powerful impact.”
First: Best Use of Typography
Second: Best Story and Photo Package, By Two Individuals or More
Second: Best Multiple Picture Package, Feature
Third Place: Best Multimedia Package, Social Justice Issues
Honorable Mention: Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Erasing Identity
article by Olivia Poust, photographs and video by Konstantin Chernichkin, video produced by Laura Ieraci and Olivia Poust and edited by Raghida Skaff
“The writer expertly sheds light on what — unfortunately — has become a common tactic in wars: the destruction of cultural artifacts and historical buildings that are important to the culture.”
First: Best Photograph, Scenic, Still-life or Weather: “Toppled Domes”
Third: Best Title and Lead-In
Honorable Mention: Best Feature Article, Mission Magazines
Honorable Mention: Best Multimedia Package, Feature
A Letter From a War Photographer
article and photographs by Konstantin Chernichkin
“This striking submission is representative of several excellent submissions showcasing survivors of war amidst the ruins of their homes. The framing of the subject posits her as diminished but defiant against the scale of destruction, while the muddied reflections dominating the lower half suggest a mired and uncertain future.”
First: Best Photograph, Feature Photo: “Heritage Lost”
Third: Best Photograph, Scenic, Still-life or Weather Photo: “Heritage Lost”
Honorable Mention: Best Story and Photo Package, By an Individual
‘Maiden, arise’
article by Arzé Khodr, photographs and video by Raghida Skaff
“What a touching and empowering message! This article flawlessly combines a clear narrative with thorough reporting. It makes readers truly care about the human trafficking crisis in Lebanon and across the world.”
Second: Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Second Place: Best Multimedia Package, Social Justice Issues
Third: Best Photograph, Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate: “A Beacon of Hope”
Sinking Deeper
article by Alicia Medina, photographs by Raghida Skaff
“In ‘Sinking Deeper: The backbone of Lebanon,’ Alicia Medina follows in the tradition of Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians, urging Christians to support their brothers and sisters in need. She highlights the plight of the Roman Catholic Church’s social service initiatives in Lebanon, which are struggling amidst the country’s collapse. Medina’s detailed depiction of the situation and its origins offers a touching and fascinating read, exemplifying excellent Catholic reporting.”
First: Best Feature Article, Mission Magazines
First: Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Third: Best Writing, In-Depth
Vulnerable by War
article by Claudia Ciobanu
“This article describes how Catholic volunteers in Poland are being trained to protect Ukrainian refugees from trafficking and exploitation. The piece clearly explains why refugees are vulnerable and provides useful context through interviews with refugees, aid workers and law enforcement.”
Third: Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Call to Family, Community and Participation
Honorable Mention: Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Solidarity
Please find below a list of additional awards not featured above.
First Place
These searing stories of refugees and migrant workers center the people who are directly affected, giving them opportunities to explain in their own words how their lives have changed, what they miss about their homes and what they hope for the future. The pieces are powerfully written, informative and emotional.
Best Blog, Topical News: The CNEWA Blog, articles by Gohar Abrahamyan, Barb Fraze, Laura Ieraci and Olivia Poust
Best Coverage, Immigration: Drawn By Illusion, by Hikma A. Abdulmejid and Abenezer Israel; Far From Home, by Rosabel Crean and Raghida Skaff; No Turning Back, by Gohar Abrahamyan and Nazik Armenakyan; and Vulnerable by War, by Claudia Ciobanu and Konstantin Chernichkin
Best Coverage, Disaster or Crises: Armenia Coverage, articles by Gohar Abrahamyan, Nazik Armenakyan and Olivia Poust
Best Essay, Mission Magazines: Symbol or Saint? Mary, Mother of God, in the Byzantine Tradition, by Mary B. Cunningham
Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Call to Family, Community and Participation: Living a Christian Life in the Land of Jesus, by Michele Chabin
Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Dignity and Rights of the Workers: Far From Home, by Rosabel Crean
Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Rights and Responsibilities: A Letter From Georgia, by Luka Kimeridze
Best Photograph, Portrait: Reflection of a Single Mother, by Nazik Armenakyan
Second Place
“This website acts as an extension of the print arm, but the interactivity of this site and the pull-down menu navigation system make this very effective as a messaging tool. Well done.”
Magazine of the Year, Mission Magazines
Editor of the Year, English: Laura Ieraci
Best Website, General Publisher: CNEWA.org
Best Cover for Color, Large Format: ONE Magazine, June 2023
Best Use of Typography: Breaking the Silence, Paul Grillo
Best Coverage, Disaster or Crises: War in Ukraine, articles by Claudia Ciobanu, Konstantin Chernichkin and Barb Fraze
Third Place
“The subjects of the stories are unparalleled, offering inside reporting from Gaza, insights into Armenian refugees, and more. Keep up the great work — the world needs your impactful journalism.”
Writer of the Year, English: Olivia Poust
Best Multimedia Package Series: War’s Impact on Ukraine, articles by Barb Fraze, Laura Ieraci and Olivia Poust, photos and video by Konstantin Chernichkin, video editing by Raghida Skaff, translation by Mariana Karapinka and Mariya Kokor
Best Blog, Social Justice Issues: The CNEWA Blog, articles by Laura Ieraci, Elias D. Mallon, S.A., Ph.D., Alicia Medina and Olivia Poust
Best Online Content Not Published in Print, Photo: The War on Ukraine in Photos, by Konstantin Chernichkin
Best Online Content Not Published in Print, News: CNEWA Online News, articles by Gohar Abrahamyan, Joseph Hazboun, Laura Ieraci and Olivia Poust
Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Solidarity: On Shaky Ground, by Arzé Khodr
Honorable Mention
Best Multimedia Package, Social Justice Issues: Drawn by Illusion, article by Hikma A. Abdulmejid, photos and video by Abenezer Israel, video produced by Laura Ieraci and Olivia Poust and edited by Raghida Skaff
Best Special Issue: Fighting a Crime Against Humanity, September 2023
