CAESCO celebrates the fourth edition of the 2026 Youth Journalism Awards
The Center for Analysis and Communication Studies (CAESCO) successfully held the fourth edition of the 2026 Youth Journalism Awards. This annual event aims primarily to recognize journalistic pieces that manage to make visible the realities, challenges, and opportunities that define Dominican youth today.
The awards ceremony highlighted the commitment of communicators to stories that foster social awareness and promote significant changes in public debate. In this edition, Andilis Almonte, Zahiris Priscila Francisco Martínez, and Melanie Cuevas Vicente were honored, taking first place in their respective categories.
Winners and special mentions
The competition was divided into three fundamental thematic axes, where the jury evaluated the research quality and the social impact of the submitted works:
- Youth and Democracy: The winner was Andilis Almonte for her analysis on political indifference among young people. Honorable mentions were received by Massiel De Jesús Acosta, Cristal Acevedo, and Dayanara Reyes Pujols.
- Youth Building the Future: The main prize went to Zahiris Priscila Francisco Martínez for her work on resilience in the face of climate change. Mariela Lorenzo and Catalina Mendoza were also recognized.
- Social Reality: Melanie Cuevas Vicente won the award for her research on the effects of the ban on child marriage. In this category, Karla Alcántara, Luis David Flores, Katheryn Luna, Olga Vérges, Roger José Figueroa, and Dilenni Bonilla were highlighted.
Professional practice is currently taking place in a scenario marked by misinformation and new demands, in the face of which journalism committed to truth and social justice acquires even greater relevance.
Miguel Otáñez, president of CAESCO
A call for the permanence of quality journalism
During his speech, Miguel Otáñez, president of CAESCO, admitted that the organization faced significant challenges to finalize this edition due to the lack of institutional support. However, he stressed that the work of the volunteers and the need to raise the quality of communication in the country were sufficient drivers to move forward.
Otáñez reaffirmed that journalism must transcend media noise and vulgarity, focusing on building a society with greater opportunities. The winners of this edition were awarded a commemorative plaque, a cash incentive of RD$40,000, and a multimedia electronic device, consolidating these awards as a benchmark for those who cover youth-related news in the Dominican Republic.
With this initiative, CAESCO continues its work of strengthening the democratic climate and freedom of expression, committing to communication that not only informs, but also acts as a transversal axis for the search for collective solutions in the nation.
