4th Annual Baldorj Prize Awarded to Top Journalists

An annual awards event—named in honor of Ts.Baldorj—commemorating journalism were handed out for the fourth time yesterday at the Ulaanbaatar Restaurant. Three Mongolian presidents—including current President Ts.Elbegdorj and former presidents P.Ochirbat and N.Bagabandi—Members of the Parliament, S.Bayartsogt, S.Batbold, U.Enkhtuvshin, O.Sodbileg and the top leaders representing television, newspaper and radio as journalists, writers, and publishers were gathered.

The submitted works and articles were judged and discussed by the jury team which included the CEO of the Mongol News Group N.Shur, First Deputy Editor in Chief S.Batbaatar, the writer G.Ayurzana, General manager of Mongol News Group B.Bayarmagnai and CEO of Unuudur newspaper B.Nandintushig.

A total of 12 were selected for awards.

G.Otgonbayar, a journalist and columnist a well-known for his news interviews and strong opinions, received the top award known as the Baldorj Prize. Currently, he is the Deputy Editor in Chief of Undesnii Shuudan, daily newspaper. His article, “Winner of this election, Enkhbayar,” was named the best.

“I’m so happy to receive an award blessed by such a great journalist as Baldorj. I really appreciate that my work is valued. As long as a word is valued, I will continue writing until my pen deteriorates! ” G.Otgonbayar exclaimed.

The second place went to D.Byambatsetseg, journalist of the Mongolian National Broadcaster Television.

“I have been working as a journalist for nine years. Journalism is powerful profession that leads the public. I am really grateful that I am being awarded with a Baldorj Prize for a second time” said D.Byambatsetseg.

Along with G.Otgonbayar and D.Byambatsetseg, ten other journalists and publishers received a Baldorj Prize. All of those that received awards will travel to Singapore paid for by the sponsorship of Ulaanbaatar City Bank.

Moreover, during the event the Baldorj Foundation granted scholarship to three students who are studying journalism—supporting and encouraging them to become powerful journalists and leave their names within the journalism industry. E.Oyundari from the UB Post, Gurvansaikhan from Unuudur Newspaper and D.Tsogt-Ochir from Tavan Tsagarig, sports newspaper received scholarships.

In addition to this, the next competition has already started among all journalists. Participants can send their work to the website, www.mongolnews.mn, throughout the year and judges will select the best work from the work submitted by giving points to news, reports, interviews and articles every month.

The award ceremony is hosted annually within the framework of September 20, the birthday of Ts.Baldorj.

Ts.Baldorj, a reputed representative of Mongolian journalism industry, an outstanding journalist, writer and businessman, State Cultural Merited Artist, played a key role in strengthening daily print press. He passed away in 2007. And, Baldorj Foundation was established by his family members and close friends in 2008 in memory of him with a mission to strengthen free press, and justice. The foundation board of directors decided to create the Baldorj Prizes for excellence in journalism, and academic scholarship for students studying in journalism, and environmental sciences.

In addition, Ts.Baldorj was born in 1953 in Sharga soum, Gobi-Altai province. He finished public secondary school in Jargalant soum, Tov aimag in 1970, graduated from Irkutsk State University, Russia in 1977, and Moscow Academy of Social Sciences in 1987. He started his journalism career at Unen newspaper in 1977, where he worked as a journalist and an editor until 1990.

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