The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) celebrated World Press Freedom Day by hosting a journalistic photography exhibition, “Media Freedom Through the Lens: Moments That Speak,” and awarding prizes for the best photojournalistic work of 2024. The event, supported by the European Union, recognized the vital role of photojournalists in capturing and conveying significant moments.

A jury consisting of Vladimir Arsovski, Boro Arsovski, and Robert Kocev selected the top three photographs from a pool of 15 submissions.

Slobodan Gjurić won first prize for his photograph “Father – Kočani.”

Maja Janevska-Ilieva secured second place with “Canadair – Ohrid Lake.”

Gjorgji Lichovski’s “Perseid Hunter” and Robert Atanasovski’s “Female Vodici” shared the third-place award.

AJM President Mladen Chadikovski highlighted the importance of supporting media workers who document truth through images, especially during challenging times. He emphasized that photojournalists act as witnesses and chroniclers, capturing moments that words sometimes fail to express.

The exhibition, showcasing the awarded photographs and other submissions, will be open to the public at the Museum of the City of Skopje until May 12.