EU Investigative Journalism Awards Presented at Europe House

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EU Investigative Journalism Awards Presented at Europe House

© Copyright: Evropska kuća

The 2024 EU Investigative Journalism Award ceremony, hosted by Thomson Media, was held on 30 September at Europe House in Podgorica, celebrating the outstanding achievements of investigative journalists from Montenegro. This prestigious award, supported by the European Union, recognises the best investigative stories published during the previous calendar year in the Western Balkans and Türkiye.

The ceremony began with an opening speech from Sanja Lazić, a representative of Thomson Media, who shared details about this year's application process. "We received 47 entries covering a wide range of topics, including political corruption, human rights violations, women's rights, environmental issues, and much more," said Lazić.

"The quality of the stories we received this year demonstrates the vital role that investigative journalism continues to play in our societies," Lazić added.

The Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, Johann Sattler, expressed his satisfaction with the large number of entries for this year's EU Award, reflecting the pluralism and diversity of Montenegro's media community.

"I was also pleased to see that Montenegrin media are producing well-researched and well-presented investigative stories, regardless of the political affiliations of those being investigated, whether former or current authorities. Today's ceremony proves that free and professional media in Montenegro are well aware of their responsibility to act as guardians of democracy and to hold those in power accountable," said Ambassador Sattler.

After the speeches, the ceremony continued with the presentation of the jury members, who had the challenging task of selecting this year's winners. The jury consisted of Branko Čečen (investigative journalist and media consultant), Mileva Malešić (founder of the Women's Forum of Prijepolje), and Olivera Nikolić (Director of the Media Institute of Montenegro).

The winners were announced in the following order:

The 3^rd place:

Andrea Perišić, Montenegro/Centre for Investigative Journalism

The story "Smuggling of Montenegrin Archaeological Heritage: Spreading, Selling, and Destroying Heritage without Punishment" sheds light on the serious yet overlooked challenges and issues concerning the preservation of cultural heritage in Montenegro.

"This story deals with our relationship with the archaeological treasures left behind by various peoples, empires, and religions, who, like today's citizens of Montenegro, considered this land their home. It raises difficult questions about society's, legislation's, government's, and citizens' attitudes towards cultural heritage and history, and, therefore, towards our place in history and the world. I particularly emphasise the significance of the extensive research and ethical challenges the journalist faced to uncover hidden truths," said Olivera Nikolić in her explanation.

The 2^nd place:
Đurđa Radulović, Montenegro/Balkan Insight

The story "No One Checks: Buying Banned Pesticides in Montenegro" addresses the alarming health risks that are a result of the inadequate control of dangerous pesticides in Montenegro, relying on a first-hand account from a farmer who uses toxic substances that ultimately end up in our bodies.

"Directly from the barn with toxic pesticides of a hard-working farmer comes a story about alarming health risks due to the lack of serious oversight. Sometimes we need journalists like Đurđa to reveal the significance of a problem we might not even be aware of. This well-told, important, professionally complete, and field-researched story is exactly what we want to see more often in the media," said Mileva Malešić while presenting the award.

The 1^st place:

The first place was shared by Tatjana Ašanin and Nikola Milosavić Aleksić (Montenegro/TV Vijesti) and Svetlana Đokić and Milica Babić (Montenegro/TV E).

The documentary-investigative film "In Murky Waters," by Tatjana Ašanin and Nikola Milosavić Aleksić, deals with abuses within the public company Water and Sewerage Podgorica.

"This thoroughly rounded, skilfully explained, and well-documented story is something we can proudly show to young people aspiring to become journalists, with the words: This is how our job is done. All relevant sources stood in front of the cameras, the facts were backed by numerous pieces of evidence, and the viewers had the opportunity to see and hear the threats that journalists often face as the price for conscientious work in the public interest," said Branko Čečen, who presented this award.

The series "Massacre of Responsibility," by Svetlana Đokić and Milica Babić, consists of four episodes and, for the first time, revealed to the Montenegrin public all the circumstances of the tragedy in Cetinje, which occurred on 12 August 2022.

"When times are tough, and situations are dire, someone must report on them. That is exactly what the authors of this poignant story did-without compromise, with dedication, and complete commitment. They courageously delved into the human and societal depths of the most horrific event in recent Montenegrin history, examining every detail, regardless of what awaited them there. Despite the traumatic emotions and serious accusations that emerged, they resolutely conveyed everything they learned to the public, asking society for something better, more humane, and more civilised," said Branko Čečen, who presented the award to the winners.

The winners received certificates from the Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro, Johann Sattler, and each had the opportunity to address the audience.

The ceremony concluded with a group photo of the winners and an invitation to a cocktail reception.

The winners of national-level competition will also have the opportunity to compete for the regional award, which honours the best investigative stories with regional impact and is judged by a special jury. The regional competition winners will be announced during the last week of October in Ankara, Türkiye.

About the EU Investigative Journalism Award

The EU Investigative Journalism Award is organised by Thomson Media, a media organisation dedicated to media development and the promotion of press freedom worldwide. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium comprising the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network-BIRN Hub, the Central European University (CEU)-Hungary, the Association of Journalists (AJ)-Türkiye, Thomson Media (TM)-Germany, the Goce Delčev University of Štip (UGD)-North Macedonia, the Independent Trade Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM)-North Macedonia, the Southeast European Media Association (MASE)-Montenegro, and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Kosovo (BIRN Kosovo).