RIAS Media Prize Winners — Best Digital Video 2020 to NDR in Germany

David Diwiak and Han Park of youth-oriented NDR online-channel STRG_F won a RIAS Media Prize award in 2020 for the best Digital Video for their story that explored the growing market for and appeal of meat replacements, both natural and man-made. From its very first moments, the video report “Fleischersatz: Veggie vs. Labor?” captivated the independent jury with its energy and attitude.

Eating their way through many mouthfuls in the process, the team manages to shed light on the science, business, and ethics of cultured meat, as well as the differing views in Germany and the US when it comes to genetically modified foods. What starts as a humorous taste test quickly evolves into a well-thought out exploration of the current meat alternative offerings, and those soon to come via technological innovations. Interviews, animation, a deep dive into the Californian fake meat start-up scene, and other research are all used with excellent effect, leaving the jury hungry for more from this clever duo of young journalists.

The RIAS Media Prize Ceremony will be held in Berlin in early June for the first time since in 2019. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the annual awards ceremony in 2020 and 2021. An independent jury of journalists continued to pick winners in the television, radio and digital categories for German-American exchange program. A total of 17 winners from all three years 2020, 2021 and 2022 will be honored at the ceremony.