The Diputación de Palencia has recognised the professionalism of the press with the presentation of the 30th edition of the Premio de Periodismo “Mariano del Mazo”. The awards ceremony took place at the provincial cultural centre, where Ana María Herrero was awarded first prize for her radio report on Iberian organs, aired on Onda Cero on 9 December 2025.
In addition to the main award, accésits were presented to Natalia Calle for written press, César Manso for photography, and Ignacio Blanco, Lucía Ferrer, and Sergio Marín for television. The awards were handed out by the president of the Diputación, Ángeles Armisén, alongside provincial deputy Juan Antonio Obispo and the jury of the journalism awards.
This annual competition, organised by the provincial institution, aims to highlight the quality, originality, creativity, and innovation of published information about the province. This year, the awards celebrated 30 years of recognising the work of media professionals, emphasising the importance of quality journalism as a public service.
A total of 29 entries were evaluated across various categories: 14 in written press, 7 in photography, 7 in television, and 1 in radio. The first prize, which includes a €2,000 cash award and a diploma, was awarded to Ana María Herrero for her report titled “Los órganos ibéricos en Palencia. Sonidos que trascienden la historia.”
The accésits, each worth €1,000 and accompanied by a diploma, were awarded as follows:
- Written Press: Natalia Calle for “La granja de 400 vacas de leche que se ordeña desde una tablet,” published in El Economista on 14 March 2025.
- Photography: César Manso for his image on the “Liberación de linces ibéricos en el Cerrato palentino,” distributed by AFP on 29 April 2025.
- Television: Ignacio Blanco, Lucía Ferrer, and Sergio Marín for their report “Farmacias Rurales,” aired on La 8 Palencia Televisión on 18 March 2025.
During the ceremony, Ángeles Armisén praised the winners and encouraged them to continue producing quality journalism. She highlighted the importance of verified information as a necessary tool for advancing democracy and fulfilling the public's right to be informed.
The awards are named after Mariano del Mazo, a journalist known for his commitment to high standards in journalism. The jury for this year's awards was chaired by Carolina Valbuena, deputy of the Culture Area, and included various esteemed members from the media and academic fields.
