Artur Domosławski, author of the best-selling biography of the late Ryszard Kapusciński, has won the title of Journalist of the Year in an annual poll by the prestigious Press magazine.

In his book, Kapuscinski - non fiction,  Domosławski attempts to knock Kapuścinski off his pedestal, writing about his communist past, his contacts with the secret police and occasional love affairs. In his carefully researched book, he also points to the many factual errors in Kapuściński’s book.

According to Domosławski, contrary to what he claimed Kapuscinski never met figures such as Che Guevara or Salvador Allende.

The verdict of the jury, which brings together prominent journalists of leading Polish dailies, as well as radio and TV stations, praises Domosławski’s "professionalism, the promotion of world standards in the media and adherence to the ethical canons of journalism".

During the presentation ceremony, the editor of the Press monthly, Andrzej Skworz, said that Domosławski’s book has created divisions within the world of the Polish media, similarly to what the April crash of the presidential plane has done to the world of politics.  

Domosławski said it was somewhat ironic to receive the award from the hands of the editor of a periodical which tore his book to pieces.

In addition to a nib-shaped statuette, Domosławski received a car. He said he would not accept it, however, and asked the producer to hand it over to a charity.

Ryszard Kapuscinski’s wife, Alicja, tried to block the publication of the book, describing its content as ‘gross fraud’.

Kapuściński (1937-2007) won international reputation with such books as The Emperor, The Shah of Shahs, The Soccer War, The Shadow of the Sun, and Travels with Herodotus. (mk/pg)