In recent years, investigative journalism in Montenegro has faced a number of challenges that threaten to undermine the role of free media in democratization of Montenegro.
Corruption and organized crime continue to be a key obstacle for Montenegro in the EU integration process, and investigative stories make a significant contribution to combating these phenomena.
It is a fact that the biggest corruption scandals were discovered thanks to the investigative work of journalists, and that is why MANS strives to continuously stimulate and reward best investigative journalists in Montenegro.
We would like to remind you that a competition for the selection of the best investigative story on organized crime and corruption is open, and we invite all interested journalists to submit their stories by November 1.
This award is presented within the project “Towards more professional and credible investigative journalism in Montenegro” implemented by MANS and funded by the European Union through the Media Professionalism Programme Montenegro.
We are reminding that MANS has successfully implemented two competitions within this programme, as a part of efforts to recognize the importance of investigative journalism and motivate journalists to be bolder in detecting deviant phenomena in society, especially organized crime and corruption.
The first competition was announced at the end of April 2018, and the best investigative story was created using the Law on Free Access of Information, while in the second one we awarded the best stories created by using one of the internet tools or sources to collect or process data.
In Montenegro, investigative journalism is known to be endangered and under constant pressure from institutions which, on one hand, do not allow access to necessary information, and on the other hand, try in every way to endanger financial stability and thus the independence of media outlets whose journalists work on investigative stories.
That is why MANS strives to encourage the investigative work of journalists, not only by announcing the competition for best stories, but also by providing support in obtaining information through the Law on Free Access to Information.
The jury of local and international experts will evaluate the submitted stories in this competition as well.
Stories will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- level of corruption targeted by the investigative story and the possible impact on public opinion when it comes to the area in which corruption occurred
- potential of the story to influence/contribute to changes in policies and/or practices of the institutions and/or individuals subject to the investigative story
- relevance of the story to issues of general public interest (human rights, EU integration, etc.)
