Donnepp Media Awards suspended after scandal over mishandled recognition
The Donnepp Media Awards has announced a halt to its 2026 iteration following a series of controversies. The decision comes after an admission of procedural mishandling by the association's chairman, Jörg Schieb, who described the process as 'grossly negligent', 'unprofessional', and 'unforgivable'.
The suspension follows the return of the award by media journalist Annika Schneider in protest. Schneider's action was in response to the handling of Judith Scheytt, an 18-year-old activist from the Rems-Murr district who was initially honoured with a special award but later asked to return it due to antisemitism allegations. Despite these claims, Scheytt maintains her innocence.
Schieb, also the chairman of the Friends of the Adolf Grimme Prize association, announced the suspension. The statutes of the Donnepp Media Awards are currently under review and are set to be improved before the award resumes in 2027. No information is available yet on who will succeed Schieb as the award's chairman.
The Donnepp Media Awards will not be given out in 2026, allowing time for a thorough review and improvement of its statutes. The suspension follows a period of controversy and protest, with the association pledging to learn from its mistakes and ensure a fair and transparent process moving forward.
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