The report «Agriculture is «a sexy sector to work and to invest in the Algarve», from the journalist Sul Informação Hugo Rodrigues, is one of the finalists of the “Fernando de Sousa” Journalism Award, promoted by the European Commission Representation in Portugal, whose nominees were known today, Wednesday, April 20th.
This is the second year in a row that the Sul Informação has a journalist on the final list of candidates for the award, after in 2021 the work “In Alte, young people campaigned for Europe”, authored by Pedro Lemos, have also been nominated.
A reportage of Hugo Rodrigues, which this year was selected by the competition jury, was published on June 1, 2021 and is a background work that addresses how joining the European Union influenced the agricultural sector in the Algarve, taking into account that many Sometimes there is a perception that EU membership has been detrimental to this economic activity.
But is this really true? Was there not, before, a reinvention, for the better, of the sector? It was with these questions in mind that the Sul Informação went to the field to speak with businessmen, responsible for public entities and scientists. All of them speak of the need to adapt to an open, more competitive market, which was achieved by many Portuguese farmers thanks to European funds.
In the “Regional” category, there are five other finalists: “Europe is Us”, by Patrícia Duarte and Carlos S. Almeida (Leiria Region); «Students of the José Sanches School explain what the European bazooka is», by Lídia Barata and José Furtado (Jornal Reconquista); «This sea that the EU gave us», by Afonso Ré Lau and Maria José Santana (Aveiro Mag); «Children of a lesser god find a future in professional training», by Paulo Leitão (Centro TV); and «A region on the tracks of European funds», by Joaquim Paulo (Gazeta das Caldas).
In total, 18 finalists were nominated, spread over three categories: “National”, “Regional” and “Students”.
This list was selected from 63 applications from journalists and students from all over the country «in a variety of themes and formats», says the European Commission, in a press release.
Of this total number of applications received, 12 were in the “Student” category, 18 in the “Regional” category and 33 in the “National” category.
The themes of the pieces presented in the competition were quite different and reflect the year 2021 covered by this edition, including: impact and responses to the pandemic created by the coronavirus, increase in populist and far-right movements, Portuguese political parties, sustainability, energy, agriculture, integration of migrants and refugees, protection of fundamental rights, social policies, demystification of disability, entrepreneurship, Brexit, culture and disinformation.
This prize, promoted by the European Commission Representation in Portugal in the context of respect for the freedom and pluralism of the media, is awarded to journalists and higher education students from journalism or media courses who have made a remarkable contribution to clarifying issues important at European level or that have promoted a better knowledge of the institutions or policies of the European Union in Portugal.
It also serves to honor journalist Fernando de Sousa (1949-2014), protagonist of a long and remarkable career dedicated to European affairs.
The winners, one per category, will be announced at a ceremony that will take place on the 9th of May, in Évora, included in the celebrations of Europe Day, in this county.
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