Rita Lofano, director of AGI, was awarded the Francigena Fidenza Award for her contribution to journalism as a craft. During the event held at the Adnkronos press agency in Rome, Lofano emphasized the importance of accurate storytelling and the inclusion of women in journalism. She believes that journalism is not just a profession, but also a craft and an artisanal job. Lofano was recognized for her ability to navigate through the sea of news and provide timely and reliable information, which has established AGI as a leading news agency in Italy.
The Francigena Fidenza Award, created by author Rossana Tosto and promoted by the Municipality of Fidenza and the European Association of the Via Francigena (AEVF), aims to acknowledge the professionalism, merit, talent, passion, and desire to discover and communicate present in journalists’ work. It celebrates their role as storytellers of facts and places, authentic artists of words and images who have contributed to culture, traditions, art, and beauty.
The award ceremony also recognized other notable journalists in different media sectors. Luciano Fontana, director of Corriere della Sera, Valeria Arnaldi, editor of special services at Il Messaggero, and Giuseppe Cerasa, director of Le Guide di Repubblica, were awarded for their contributions to newspapers. Francesco Pionati, director of Giornale Radio Rai and Radio 1, Massimiliano Menichetti from Radio Vaticana – Vatican News, Silvia Calandrelli, director of Rai Cultura, Marzia Roncacci, head of Tg2 Italia Europa, and Paolo Di Lorenzo for his morning news anchor role on Tg5 were awarded for their work in radio and television.
The ceremony also marked the presentation of the fourth edition of the Francigena Fidenza Festival, scheduled from April 11th to April 14th. The mayor of Fidenza, Andrea Massari, and the councilor for Culture, Maria Pia Bariggi, expressed their gratitude to the awardees for their efforts in promoting the Via Francigena. They highlighted the importance of media in raising awareness of this ancient pilgrimage route and its role in cultural and social development.
The Francigena and its festival serve as a platform to narrate the diverse identities of the territories it crosses and promote cultural and social progress. The articles written by journalists accompany the many protagonists, including institutions, in their transformations and changes. The Francigena Fidenza Award recognizes journalists who use authentic, verified, and future-oriented language in their work, as they trace the path of information and inclusion, similar to the pilgrims along the Via Francigena.
Rossana Tosto, the creator of the award, described it as a tangible sign of appreciation for journalists whose professional journey is characterized by rigor, reliability, and source verification. She emphasized that the award is a tribute to those who have distinguished themselves in the field of journalism.
The event concluded with a heartfelt thank you from Tosto to Giuseppe Marra, president of Adnkronos, for providing the venue for the ceremony. Tosto expressed her emotions and gratitude for being able to organize many events in the Palazzo dell’Informazione over the years. She highlighted that this award is a product of passion and dedication to the profession, which requires rigor, reliability, and source control.
Overall, the Francigena Fidenza Award celebrates the craftsmanship of journalism and recognizes the outstanding contributions of journalists across various media platforms. It is a testament to their dedication to providing accurate and reliable information while promoting culture, traditions, art, and beauty.
