09. 05. 2014

KIRBY: MONEY BIG PROBLEM FOR MEDIA

Belgrade, 09. 05. 2014 (Beta, B92) - U.S. Ambassador Michael Kirby said that the adoption of media laws is important, but that it will not solve all the problems of media in our country.

Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) awarded the Investigative Journalism Award at a ceremony at the Faculty of Drama Arts. The monetary prize of $ 1,200 given to each recipient was provided by the U.S. Embassy.

Ambassador Kirby said that the media should be proactive and more energetic, and not only convey politicians` words.

"I am glad that the set of media laws were studied in Brussels as well, and that Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić wants these laws to be passed in parliament soon. The laws are important, but they will not solve the biggest challenge for the media - lack of money, and the pursuit of money leads to the issues of independence, taking a stronger stance, and censorship," said Kirby.

NUNS President Vukašin Obradović said that investigative journalism is a measure of freedom in Serbia and an indicator of a democratic society.

Obradović opposed the tabloidization of media and the society because it undermines the (journalism) profession and threatens democracy.

NUNS President noted that, in opposition to those who use media to (announce) arrests and issue verdicts, stand investigative journalists demonstrating that journalism does not need to succumb to the lowest instincts and sensationalism.

In the TV and radio category, the awards went to PG Mreža journalists Vesna Radojević and Anđela Milivojević for a news report on the Belgrade suburb "Filmski Grad" real estate scam that has left thousands of citizens cheated.

For the best investigative journalism article published in online media the award went to the Center for Investigative Journalism`s Dragana Pećo, Dino Jahić and Jasna Fetahović for the article "Paid International Recognition for Local Promotion."

For the best investigative article published in print media the award went to BIRN journalists Aleksandar Đorđević and Slobodan Georgiev for text "Marketing Stars in Political Field," published by weekly "Vreme."

The winners were decided by a jury consisting of journalists Milorad Milovanović, Saša Leković, Ivan Angelovski and Branko Čečen.

The NUNS annual award is presented on May 3, on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day. This year it was awarded for the ninth time.