PUNKT prize for technology journalism and technology photography

Graphic of monitor, microphone, camera and smartphone

© acatech

Prize and objective

Independent, well-researched journalism is important now more than ever. Journalists who can communicate technological developments in an original and intelligible way bolster the public debate on technology and innovation.

The PUNKT journalism prize recognises journalistic writing and photography as well as digital journalism that capture the essence of technological subjects. The annual prize is awarded in the Text category one year and the categories Foto and Digital (formerly Multimedia) the next. In addition, since 2011, under the category Fotostipendium, a photography grant is awarded to the best idea for a photo reportage related to technology.

Further information on the PUNKT prize can be found at www.journalistenpreis-punkt.de (in German).

Good communication involving and about science and technology is about more than relaying facts. It must convey the informative content vividly yet accurately and stimulate informed discussion, thus facilitating inclusion. Independent quality technology journalism is a good example of this – and this is what the PUNKT prize acknowledges.”

Jan Wörner, acatech President and advisory member of the PUNKT journalism prize. 

Panel of judges

The independent panel of judges consists of figures from media and science. The acatech President advises the panel but does not have a say in judging the submissions.

Panel of judges in the Text category

    • Prof. Volker Markus Banholzer
      Course head Journalism of Technology/PR related to technology, Technische Hochschule Nürnberg
    • Varinia Bernau
      Editor “Innovation & Digitales – Erfolg”, WirtschaftsWoche
    • Prof. Dr. Nina Janich
      TU Darmstadt, Professor of German Studies – Applied Linguistics
    • Dr. Norbert Lossau
      Chief science correspondent, Die Welt – Welt am Sonntag
    • Helmut Markwort
      Former publisher, Focus
    • Joachim Müller-Jung
      Editor “Natur und Wissenschaft”, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
    • Dr. Marlene Weiß
      Editor “Wissen”, Süddeutsche Zeitung

Panel of judges in the Photo category

    • Jörg Buschmann
      Picture editor, Süddeutsche Zeitung
    • Prof. Michael Danner
      Professor of Photography at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences, Berlin
    • Ellen Dietrich
      Freelance editor and photojournalism lecturer
    • Betty Fink
      Curator, coach and consultant for photographers
    • Tobias Lehmann
      Freelance picture editor
    • Carla Rosorius
      Responsible picture editor GEO

Judges in the Digital category

    • Dr. Nicola Balkenhol
      Head of the department “Multimedia-Online”, Deutschlandradio
    • Prof. Dr. Werner C. Barg
      Honorary Professor of Digital Media Systems at the Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, producer and writer for film and television
    • Dr. Jens Radü
      Head of Multimedia, DER SPIEGEL
    • Margit Rosen
      Head of Department Wissen – Collections, Archive & Research, ZKM | Center for Art and Media
    • Prof. Dr. Andreas Schümchen
      Professor of Journalism, Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg
    • Sandra Valentin
      Chief Operating Officer, ]init[ AG für digitale Kommunikation
    • Markus Weißkopf
      Research editor, Table Media GmbH
    • Kathrin Zinkant
      Editor of Apotheken Umschau

  • What is “good journalism”?

  • This is what our judging panel members and prizewinners think.

    • Tags

    PUNKT | Science and Engineering | Science communication