The winners of the special award convey in a fascinating and exciting way how Alfred Herrhausen, as the most visionary banker of his time, shaped the state and society. The series portrays his personality and makes decisions and events plausible while also showing how the economy and society interplayed at the time. 

Overall, the IHK Award for Business Journalism "Ernst Schneider", endowed with a total of €52,000, was presented in six categories. The event was marked by a gala hosted by the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the IHK Elbe-Weser, with around 250 guests from the business and media sectors at the Stadeum in Stade.

Helena Melnikov, CEO of DIHK, discusses economy, media, and society at the awards gala.

 

Valuable Contributions to Economic Understanding

Recognised were contributions that excellently researched, relevant, and clearly report on economic topics, contributing to understanding the Social Market Economy. Other prize winners include Matthias Zimmermann ("Augsburger Allgemeine"), Henning Sußebach ("Die Zeit"), Ralf Geißler (MDR), Gesine Enwaldt and Melanie Stucke (NDR, SWR, and WDR), as well as Sebastian Strauß ("Süddeutsche Zeitung").

Out of about 400 applications, the jury selected the nominees in a two-stage process and, finally, the following prize winners: 

Video

Gesine Enwaldt and Melanie Stucke: 
The Bread Roll Bureaucracy
Editors: Gaby Bauer (NDR), Maryam Bonakdar (SWR), and Gudrun Wolter (WDR), 27 March 2024

Audio

Ralf Geißler:
Truck Driver – Between Exploitation and Freedom
MDR, Editor: Grit Bobe, 25 November 2024

Regional Clarity

Matthias Zimmermann: 
Hops and Malt, May God Preserve, 
"Augsburger Allgemeine", 30 November 2024

National Clarity

Henning Sußebach: 
A Farmer, A Year,
"Die Zeit", 17 October 2024

Newcomer Award

Sebastian Strauß, 
"Süddeutsche Zeitung"

Special Award

Dr Gabriela Sperl, Producer, Pia Strietmann, Director, Thomas Wendrich, Screenwriter:
 "Herrhausen – Master of Money"
four-part series on ARD (Production: ARD Degeto)

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The IHK Award for Business Journalism "Ernst Schneider", organised by the German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs), is being presented under this name for the first time in 2024. The award, previously known as the "Ernst Schneider Prize" until 2023, has been presented since 1971. It is the largest award for business journalism in Germany.