Swiss journalist Arnaud Robert has been named Journalist of the Year at the 2026 Swiss Press Awards for his deeply personal podcast series documenting his journey following a mountain accident that left him tetraplegic. The RTS producer and former music journalist was honored at the national ceremony held in Bern on Friday evening, April 24, 2026, where the awards recognize excellence across print, broadcast, and digital journalism in Switzerland.
Robert’s award-winning podcast, titled “Mon corps électrique” (My Electric Body), chronicles his participation in a clinical trial at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) aimed at restoring partial mobility through neural implant technology. The seven-episode series offers an intimate account of his emotional and physical rehabilitation, blending journalistic rigor with raw personal reflection. In the opening episode, Robert speaks candidly about his initial reluctance to engage with medical intervention: “Reprendre le combat, passer entre les mains d’ingénieurs et de médecins, franchement, je n’en ai pas du tout envie. Pourtant, il y a au fond de moi quelque chose qui me hurle d’y aller.”
The Swiss Press Awards, organized annually by the Swiss Press Club, are considered the highest honors in Swiss journalism. This year’s ceremony likewise celebrated investigative work by regional outlets, with a team from Le Nouvelliste receiving the top prize in the Local category for their in-depth reporting. The winning team included journalists Damien Rapalli, Virginie Maret, Sophie Dorsaz, former deputy editor-in-chief Xavier Filliez, and illustrator Pascal Claivaz.
Born in Vevey on December 30, 1976, Robert began his career as a music journalist in the mid-1990s, contributing to local publications such as La Presse Riviera Chablais before expanding his focus to global cultural issues. His early work centered on African and Caribbean music, later extending to Vodou spirituality, contemporary African art, and socio-political challenges in those regions. Over the years, he has reported for Le Temps, Le Monde, Les Inrockuptibles, and Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), while also directing documentaries on music and religion.
In 2008, Robert co-conceived the exhibition “Vodou – un art de vivre” at the Musée d’ethnographie de Genève, which subsequently traveled to Amsterdam, Göteborg, Berlin, Brême, and Ottawa. Between 2009 and 2012, he collaborated with painter Frédéric Clot on the atypical book series Hors-Bord, blending visual art and narrative nonfiction. His documentary Bamako is a Miracle (2002), co-directed with Samuel Chalard and Maurice Engler, received the Bartok Prize from the Paris-based Committee for Ethnographic Film in 2003 and the RFO Prize at the Vues d’Afrique Festival in Montreal in 2002.
Following his accident, Robert became involved in a neuroscientific study at CHUV exploring brain-computer interfaces for paralysis recovery. His podcast details the complexities of this research, including the psychological toll of placing hope in experimental treatments. The jury praised the series for its honesty and depth, noting how it captures “the inner turmoil of rebuilding identity after sudden disability.”
At the same awards ceremony, the Photographer of the Year award was presented to Mario Heller of the online outlet Republik, recognized for his international reporting from Narva, Estonia. The RTS also secured second place in the Audio category for the podcast Nahed, une voix de Gaza, while a report by A Bon entendeur on “Les forçats de l’IA” (The Forced Laborers of AI) earned recognition in the Video category.
The Swiss Press Awards continue to serve as a vital benchmark for journalistic integrity and innovation in Switzerland, highlighting both established figures and emerging voices. Robert’s win underscores the growing importance of audio storytelling in modern journalism, particularly when it combines investigative discipline with profound personal narrative.
As of now, no further public updates have been released regarding Robert’s ongoing participation in the CHUV clinical trial or future episodes of Mon corps électrique. Listeners can access the full podcast series through the RTS website and major audio platforms.
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