The Gerd Bucerius Prize Free Press of Eastern Europe will be given to newspapers, online media and journalists from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia.

The competition is supported by the Foundation ZEIT-Stiftung. It is aimed to showcase the promotion of press freedom and free speech.

Newspapers must demonstrate broad editorial initiatives in a few areas, one of which should be foreign policy. They must cover political, cultural, economic and public life and promote democracy, free speech and intercultural understanding.

The newspapers must be founded at least a year ago and have the circulation of minimum 5,000 copies.

The award ceremony will take place in Hamburg, Germany on May 23, 2012.

For more information (in Russian), click here.