Bern, Switzerland – The inaugural YouMedia Award ceremony took place in Bern on Friday evening, recognizing 13 young media creators for their outstanding projects. The event, held at the PROGR cultural center, celebrated emerging talents across five categories, distributing a total of 55,000 Swiss Francs in prize money. This new award aims to foster media literacy and encourage young people to engage with media creation.
Key Takeaways
- The first YouMedia Award honored 13 young media creators in Bern.
- Awards were given in five main categories, plus special honorary prizes.
- Total prize money of 55,000 Swiss Francs was distributed.
- Federal Councillor Albert Rösti emphasized the importance of media literacy for young people.
- Around 150 young individuals aged 13-20 applied for the new award.
Celebrating Youth in Media: The YouMedia Award Debut
The PROGR cultural center in Bern hosted approximately 250 guests for the first YouMedia Award ceremony. The event marked a significant milestone for young media professionals in Switzerland. Thirteen individuals and teams received recognition for their innovative work, ranging from online columns to TV productions.
The YouMedia Award, established by the YouMedia association, aims to support and showcase the talents of young people in media. Its debut highlighted the diverse and high-quality content being produced by the next generation of journalists and creators.
Award Statistics
- 13 total recipients (individuals and teams)
- 5 main award categories
- 3 honorary award recipients
- 55,000 CHF total prize money awarded
- ~150 applicants aged 13-20
Award Categories and Winners
The YouMedia Award recognized excellence across various media formats. Young creators submitted projects that demonstrated strong content, careful production, and thorough research. The winning entries covered themes such as justice, happiness, society, and health, along with a special category for the YouNews Youth Media Week.
Main Category Winners 2025:
- Amélie Galladé – Online Column
- Clara Halloway and Pascale Lörtscher – Video Production
- Nino Preuss – Magazine Reportage
- Elfen Hervé – Social Media Channel
- Nils Kauf – TV Series
- Enea Faes, Yael Länzlinger, Sara Schoch, Lisa Tschuor – TV Program (Arena)
Honorary Award Recipients 2025:
- Theo Salis – Children's Podcast
- Wirtschaftsschule Thun – Podcast Series
- Mattia-Russo Veneri – Video Production
These awards celebrate the creativity and dedication of young people in telling important stories and sharing diverse perspectives through media.
Background of the Competition
The newly created YouMedia Award saw a strong response in its first year. Approximately 150 young individuals, aged between 13 and 20, submitted their work for consideration. A rigorous selection process narrowed these entries down to a shortlist of about 50 projects.
The submitted works included a wide array of formats. These ranged from video productions and podcasts to blogs, vlogs, social media channels, and both print and online articles. This broad participation highlights the many ways young people are engaging with media today.
"The quality of the submitted work exceeded our expectations," said Franz Fischlin, initiator and jury president of the YouMedia Award. "It shows the immense talent and potential within our young generation."
The jury, composed of notable media personalities such as Yvonne Eisenring, David Constantin, Bigna Silberschmidt, and Manu Burkart, also expressed their admiration for the high standards of the entries. The topics explored by the young creators were equally diverse, covering daily life, political and social issues, and personal experiences.
What is YouMedia?
YouMedia is an association dedicated to promoting media literacy and supporting young media creators in Switzerland. The YouMedia Award is its flagship initiative, designed to recognize and encourage the next generation of journalists and content producers. The organization believes that by actively creating media, young people develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of information.
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti Highlights Media Literacy
Federal Councillor and Media Minister Albert Rösti attended the award ceremony. He used the opportunity to engage directly with the young participants. In an interview conducted during the event, Rösti emphasized the critical importance of media literacy, especially for Switzerland's system of direct democracy.
Rösti encouraged the young generation to actively participate in public discourse and media creation. He expressed his strong impression of the commitment and passion displayed by the young media talents. His presence underscored the national significance of fostering informed and engaged citizens through media education.
Franz Fischlin, co-founder of YouMedia, reiterated the long-term vision for the award. "By making media, young people learn to critically assess content and deal with it in a nuanced way. At the same time, they can demonstrate their skills," Fischlin stated.
He believes the award will motivate even more young people to start their own media projects. This encouragement is vital for developing a well-informed society capable of navigating complex information landscapes.
Event Program and Emerging Talent
The evening featured a dynamic program designed to entertain and inspire. YouMedia hosts Shianne Spitzer and Destan Huynh guided the audience through the ceremony with professionalism and spontaneous charm. Their engaging presence kept the event lively.
Comedy talent Julia Steiner, recognized as SRF 3 Best Talent Comedy 2024, provided humor and a light-hearted atmosphere. Musical performances by the band BluesKidz and an energetic dance number by the street dance group TBG added to the festive mood.
The event also served as a practical learning experience for other young talents. Apprentices from the event agency Aroma gained valuable hands-on experience by helping to organize the ceremony. This practical involvement further extends YouMedia's commitment to youth development in the media and event sectors.
The success of the first YouMedia Award indicates a promising future for youth media in Switzerland. It provides a platform for young voices to be heard and for their skills to be recognized, contributing to a more vibrant and diverse media landscape.