Prize for FOCUS online reportage

"A disease as if invented by the devil" - this is the title of the FOCUS online report by Bernd Hauser and Sascha Montag, which has now been awarded the DGA Journalism Prize.

As part of the FOCUS online constructive series "12 Women, 12 Ideas", they reported on Nepalese microbiologist Deena Shrestha's fight against the tropical disease elephantiasis, in which a threadworm attacks the lymphatic system and causes limbs to swell grotesquely. The disease, which is particularly widespread in poorer regions, causes great suffering and hinders the development of these countries.

The reporters will be honored at the annual conference of the "German Society for Angiology - Society for Vascular Medicine" (DGA) this Friday in Leipzig. Journalist Bernd Hauser says about the background to the research: "In editorial offices, there is often a German-centric view of the world. I would like to help broaden this view." This was possible as part of the "12 Women, 12 Ideas" project by FOCUS online and the renowned reportage agency Zeitenspiegel. The project portrayed female scientists from Africa, Asia and South America who are working on solutions to major problems facing humanity, such as combating diseases or deadly hunger. "The project enabled us to meet very committed people in a remote part of the world. Scientists who, through their work, help people who are often forgotten," says photographer Sascha Montag.

The project has enabled us to meet very committed people in a remote part of the world. Scientists who, through their work, help people who are often forgotten.“

"Great conclusion to a great series"

The report series "12 Women, 12 Ideas" is one of the journalistic projects at FOCUS-online that aims to strengthen solution-oriented reporting. It was published by the publishing house BurdaForward, which has a total reach of around 40 million monthly users and publishes on digital portals such as FOCUS online and CHIP.de. The company has been focusing on critical-constructive journalism for years in order to enrich social debates with solution-oriented impulses. "We want to use our reach to give personalities and their forward-looking approach a stage. Honoring the journalistic work of our colleagues with this award is a great end to a great series," says Malte Arnsperger, head of the "12 Women, 12 Ideas" project at FOCUS online.

The project was funded by the European Journalism Center through the Solutions Journalism Accelerator. This fund is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Zur Reportage