THE BusinessMirror earned a runner-up finish in its debut in a global competition for journalists reporting on agricultural issues.
A team of BusinessMirror reporters composed of Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas, Cai U. Ordinario, Jovee Marie Dela Cruz, and Jovynelle Rodriguez, a student from the Lyceum of the Philippines University, were adjudged runners up in this year’s International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Star Prize Award for Print.
They bagged the citation for the multimedia explanatory story titled “Skyrocketing sugar prices stoke industry liberalization stakes” published in the paper’s Broader Look section last August 4, 2022. (Read story here: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/08/04/skyrocketing-sugar-prices-stoke-industry-liberalization-stakes)
The story focused on the Philippine sugar crisis last year, tackling and tracing the events, issues, and problems that led to the unprecedented record-high prices of domestic sugar in the country.
The story also scrutinized the implications of the crisis on the domestic economy, particularly its impacts for Filipino farmers, consumers, and even small businesses like sorbetero and banana-Q vendors.
The story was edited by Senior Editor Dennis D. Estopace with production guidance from Associate Editor Jennifer A. Ng and Editor-in-Chief Lourdes M. Fernandez.
Thomas Weber’s story titled “Zurück Zum Ursprung” (“Back to the Origin”) placed first in the IFAJ tilt. The story explored a family’s struggle with the economic challenges of dairy farming, according to the IFAJ.
The IFAJ said the award “recognizes excellence in reporting on agricultural topics around the world.” (See IFAJ press release: https://www.ifaj.org/thomas-weber-from-austria-receives-international-federation-of-agricultural-journalists-star-prize-for-print/44645/)
The IFAJ disclosed that the international judging panel for this year’s Star Prize for Print award was composed of John Morriss of Canada and Markus Rediger and Ingold Jonas of Switzerland.
“The power of print remains a driving force in journalism, and the IFAJ Star Prize celebrates the power of excellent research and great storytelling,” said Adalberto Rossi, IFAJ secretary-general, in an earlier statement released this month.
The IFAJ is an international group of communications with more than 5,000 members across 61 countries, according to the organization’s website.