Otto von Habsburg Prize

for Journalism in Minority Protection and Cultural Diversity in Europe 2006

Winner of the Otto von Habsburg Prize for Journalism 2006
Ivan Zsolt Nagy (Magyar Nemzet, Hungary)
Celebration of the Award: 06 May 2006, Apenrade/AAbenraa (Denmark) 

In the selection the Jury considered a project which was unique in Hungary. As a foreign issues reporter of the daily "Magyar Nemzet" Mr. Nagy achieved the publication of a monthly appendix called Kisebbségek (Minorities), for which he gained financial support from several foundations. This four page publication was dealing with the situation of ethnic Hungarians living abroad but also with problems of ethnic communities living in Hungary.  The latter effort had two aims: keeping the topical issues hot, and introducing these ethnical groups to the majority. The introduction of minority cultures was also an important aspect, and there were efforts of using more popular implements for shortening the majority-minority distance, for example the column „ethnic minorities' cuisine". In the appendix he Roma minority got an emphasised attention in order to reduce antipathy towards them.

Since Mr. Nagy is working for the liberal daily "Magyar Hírlap" he keeps writing about minority issues and fighting against overstatements, blindness, isolation efforts, and especially against nationalism.

               Mr. Ivan Zsolt Nagy, Winner of              Günther Rautz,  Secretary General Midas; Edita Slezakova, 
           the Otto von Habsburg Prize 2006.   General Manager Új Szó; Otto von Habsburg and the Prize Winner
                                                                                Ivan Szolt Nagy during the Prize Ceremony.