On the occasion of the presentation of the EU Investigative Journalism Award, the spokesman of the EU Delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Andy McGuffie said that investigative journalism contributed to transparency, good administration, implementation of rights of citizens and access to information and puts into focus their interest.
He stressed that the investigative journalist work is strengthening the integrity of journalists and that is why they utterly support investigative journalism “as one of the parts of a healthy democracy”.
“Freedom of media is current in this moment in BiH,” McGuffie said, adding that the safety of the freedom of media is one of the main challenges with which BiH is faced, but also other countries in the enlargement process.
He emphasized that the freedom of expression is one of the key indicators of readiness of one country to become an EU member because it implies a commitment to democracy, political accountability and good governance.
Director of the Mediacentar in Sarajevo Boro Kontić said that the presentation of awards is a significant moment not only for the journalist community but also for public opinion in BiH.
“Investigative journalism in BiH will in this way get some kind of impetus,” Kontić said and explained that this event is held also in Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey.
He stresses that this is the greatest award in terms of money in BiH, adding that the first place will be awarded with 5,000 euros and that the total fund for three stories is 10,000 euros.
The investigative journalist award will be presented in the mentioned countries for investigative stories published in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The call for papers will be open from 23 March to 23 April. All who wish to apply will submit an investigative report about the abuse of power and violation of fundamental rights, corruption and organized crime done in 2014.
The coordinator in BiH is Mediacentar Sarajevo, and in the region the Peace Insitutte in Ljubljana. Associate partner of program is the Guardian Foundation, UK.
(Source: Fena/ photo dnevnilist)
