For the seventh time, the University of Applied Sciences for Management and Communication honored outstanding young journalism talents with the prestigious Journalism Young Talent Award for student journalists. A total of 82 submissions were entered.
Vienna, October 1, 2025 – At the ceremony for the Journalism Young Talent Award 2025, once again projects dealing with socially relevant issues were in the spotlight – ranging from digital loneliness and relationships with artificial intelligence to questions of cultural identity in the Basque Country. With this award, FHWien der WKW supports aspiring journalists and provides them with a platform to present their work to a broader audience and to the media industry.
From the 82 entries, a professional jury selected the best works in the categories Radio & Audio, TV & Video, Text and Multimedia. In addition, a special prize was awarded for the best final thesis. The ceremony was hosted once again by moderator Patrick Sieber, himself a journalism student at FHWien der WKW.
Supporting Young Journalists at Career Entry
The Journalism Young Talent Award is endowed with € 500,- per category and was once again awarded in 2025 with the support of strong media partners. Der Standard sponsored the Text category, with Deputy Editor-in-Chief Nana Siebert presenting the award. Kurier supported the Multimedia category, presented by Deputy Editor-in-Chief Christoph Schwarz. New as a partner was ORF, which supported the categories Radio & Audio as well as TV & Video. The awards were handed over by Konrad Mitschka from ORF’s Public Value Competence Center. Another new partner was the Austrian Media Academy (ÖMA), which contributed a seat in one of its seminars as the prize in the Best Thesis category – in addition to the prize money awarded by FHWien der WKW.
Impulses for the Future of Journalism
“The Journalism Young Talent Award shows every year how passionately and with what thematic diversity young journalists address societal developments,” said Daniela Süssenbacher, Head of Journalism & Media Management Study Programs and chair of the jury. “This year, we were particularly impressed by the courage with which the young talents tackled some of the most urgent and complex issues of our time. The award demonstrates that the next generation of journalism is ready to take responsibility and to bring fresh perspectives into the public debate.”
Jury of Journalists and Experts from FHWien der WKW
The works were evaluated by an independent jury consisting of renowned journalists and experts from FHWien der WKW. In addition to Head of Study Programs Daniela Süssenbacher and program directors Regula Blocher, Carola Leitner, Martin Reichenauer, and Karina Schwann, eight independent journalists served as jurors. In the Radio & Audio category, Bea Sommersguter and Matthias Däuble (both Ö1) made the decision. In the TV & Video category, the jurors were Ed Moschitz (ORF) and Christine Grabner. The winning text was selected by Wolfgang Sablatnig (Tiroler Tageszeitung) and Julia Ortner (ORF). The award in the Multimedia category was decided by Yvonne Widler (Kurier) and Max Miller (Profil).
The 2025 Journalism Young Talent Award Winners at a Glance
- Category Radio & Audio:
The feature “Digital Loneliness – About reconnecting with the real world” by Hanna Kastner, Isis Lauermann, Anke Mandl, Emily Patek, Sarah Roland and Clemens Schreiber impressed the jury. The piece explores the phenomenon of digital loneliness, showing through interviews with young people and experts how social media and AI chatbots are changing relationships – and how those affected find new ways to reconnect in real life. - Category TV & Video:
The award went to Lea Perhab, Stephanie Pontasch and Katharina Nachbaur for “In Love with AI.” The contribution follows a protagonist testing AI apps for their suitability as relationship partners and portrays people already living with chatbots. The film raises the question of whether AI is the love of the future or the end of genuine human relationships.
- Category Text:
The jury awarded “Black Shellac and Fish Soup” by Simon Altorff as the best reportage. The story portrays Viennese piano maker Bernhard Balas, whose workshop is not only a place for restoring historical instruments but also a vibrant social meeting point.
- Category Multimedia:
The piece “Last Stop: Human” by Melissa Untersmayr, Irina Wittmann and Lisa Marie Wögerbauer won the Multimedia category. The reportage follows a certified nurse working in palliative care at Vienna General Hospital (AKH), powerfully showing how humanity lies at the center of his work.
- Category Best Thesis (for FHWien der WKW alumni only):
The prize went to Felix Kohlschütter for “The Basque Country – Conflict over Language, Land, and Culture.” His thesis examines the history and identity of the Basque Country, showing how language, culture, and politics remain deeply intertwined to this day.
About the Journalism & Media Management Study Programs
For more than 20 years, the Journalism & Media Management study programs at FHWien der WKW are offering practice-oriented study programs for a career in quality journalism. Three degree programs – two Bachelor’s and one Master’s – impart journalistic know-how in content production and media management. The focus is on the close integration of theory and practice. More than two-thirds of the faculty come from the media industry. They contribute their many years of professional experience to the classroom, ensuring that students receive a highly practical education.
Image material:
FHWien der WKW has honored fourteen talents with the Journalism Young Talent Award 2025. The photo shows the award winners with members of the jury.
Download image
Copyright: Markus Hechenberger
FHWien der WKW – University of Applied Sciences for Management & Communication
FHWien der WKW is Austria’s leading university of applied sciences for management and communication. Its Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs offer around 2,900 students a practical academic education. Two-thirds of the lecturers come directly from the business world. The close cooperation with local companies in teaching and research prepares students optimally for their careers. Since its foundation in 1994, FHWien der WKW has already produced more than 15,900 graduates.
Contact:
Bernhard Witzeling
Head of Corporate Communication, Marketing and Alumni & Career Services, Press Officer
Tel.: +43 (1) 476 77-5733
presse@fh-wien.ac.at
www.fh-wien.ac.at