Director of the Research Center of MANS, Dejan Milovac, is one of the winners of the global Awards for Investigative Journalism awarded by the Global Network of Investigative Journalists (http://gijn.org/). At a ceremony in Lillehammer in Norway, the award “Global Shining Light Award” was awarded to serial “Dishonorable alliances” that brings stories about relationships between politics, business and organized crime, describing the business connections of the family of Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic and cocaine cartel of Darko Saric. The serial, was created in collaboration of MANS and OCCRP network of investigative journalists and in addition to Milovac the authors of the stories are Miranda Patrucic, Stevan Dojcinovic and Lejla Camdzic.
The serial “Dishonorable alliance” took first place in the competition of 76 investigative stories from 34 countries and shared it with the dossier “Empire ash” Brazil’s Gazeta do Povo, which tells the story of cigarette smuggling and organized crime in South America.
“This award shows us that the fire of investigative journalism persists, even in the most difficult conditions, said one of the judges, Sheila Coronel of Columbia University. “Victorious over risks and threats, committed journalists are continuing to demand accountability from those in power. The winners of this award adhere to the highest standards in investigative journalism.
“Global Shining Award” was established six years ago with the intention of give tribute to outstanding investigative journalism and stories that occur in spite of all obstacles, intimidation and threats to which they are exposed journalists who work in less developed countries. This award is given by the Global Network of Investigative Journalists GIJN, founded in 2003 which brings together 118 organizations from 54 countries around the world that are working to promote and support investigative journalism.
This is not the first recognition for the stories serial about Djukanovic and dirty jobs of cocaine lord Darko Saric in Montenegro. “Dishonorable alliances” are winners of the “European Press Prize” for excellence in research, as well as an award for investigative journalism in Montenegro, supported by the European Commission. This dossier was a finalist in the prestigious American IRE Tom Renner Award for crime research for this year.
As previous awards, and this award is a tribute to what MANS does all these years on discovering the links between organized crime and authorities in Montenegro, as well as encouragement to move decisively and strongly to resist all pressures and intimidation which are exposed all those who in Montenegro fight for truth and justice.
MANS works daily not only on investigating corruption and organized crime, but also on support to establish a stronger and breakthrough investigative journalism in Montenegro, and this award is another proof that we are on the right track.
MANS
