10/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/22/2024 10:08
The 2024 EU Investigative Journalism Awards were presented on 22 October in Sarajevo at a ceremony organised by Thomson Media and hosted by Europe House. This prestigious regional award, supported by the European Union, celebrates the outstanding achievements of investigative journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Winners are selected by an independent jury of experts, and awards were presented to the best investigative stories published in the previous calendar year in the Western Balkans and Turkiye.
Addressing the audience, the EU Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Luigi Soreca, emphasised the EU's commitment to supporting independent journalism and media freedom in the region. "Professional journalism, free from fear and intimidation, is one of the foundation stones of any democracy. Citizens have the right to know if public money is being misused or if companies, institutions or individuals are engaged in harmful activities. I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and dedication of investigative journalists across Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly because journalists are often too frequently the targets of threats or attacks. Strengthening freedom of expression and of the media is one of the key priorities that Bosnia and Herzegovina must address to make progress on the path to the EU and we will continue to insist that there must be institutional protection of journalists and prompt follow up to any attack on a journalist", Ambassador Soreca said.
Sanja Lazić, a representative of Thomson Media, shared details about this year's application process, noting that 53 submissions were received. These covered a diverse range of topics, including political corruption, human rights violations, women's rights, environmental issues, and more. "The quality of the stories we received this year demonstrates the vital role investigative journalism continues to play in our societies", Lazic underlined.
The jury for this year's award consisting of renowned media professionals Nidžara Ahmetašević, Ozren Kebo, and Dragana Dardic, Executive Director at NGO Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Banja Luka.
The third-place prizewas shared by:Azra Omerović and Zinaida Đelilović: International University in GoraždeSecond place:
Dejan Rakita: TRGOVSKA GORA-Why and How It Was Chosen, What Is Being Built, and the Dangers It PosesFirst place (shared):
Arduana Pribinja: Accusations of Sexual Harassment by Female Patients at Zenica HospitalThe national-level competition winners will also have the opportunity to compete for regional recognition, rewarding the best investigative stories with regional impact, judged by a special jury. The regional competition winners will be announced in the last week of October in Ankara, Turkey.
About the EU Award for Investigative Journalism
The EU Award for Investigative Journalism is organized by Thomson Media, a media organization dedicated to media development and promoting press freedom worldwide. The project is funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium comprising the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network - BIRN Hub, Central European University (CEU) - Hungary, the Association of Journalists (AJ) - Turkey, Thomson Media (TM) - Germany, Goce Delčev University Štip (UGD) - North Macedonia, the Independent Union of Journalists and Media Workers (SSNM) - North Macedonia, the Media Association of Southeast Europe (MASE) - Montenegro, and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network of Kosovo (BIRN Kosovo).