The EU Investigative Journalism Award announced on Monday, March 24th at EU Info Center in Sarajevo.

The award was presented by Andy McGuffie (EU Delegation) and Boro Kontić (Mediacenter Sarajevo). 

"The Award we are launching today is about showing how much we value investigative journalism. It is important. It strongly contributes to transparency, good governance and to the implementation of the people's right to know. It brings information that is in the public interest to light. And in so many cases it involves real bravery and persistence on the part of journalists. Such journalism restores faith in journalism and media integrity. The EU fully supports such journalism as part of a healthy democracy", said McGuffie.

Boro Kontić from Mediacenter Sarajevo encouraged nominations and applications for the award and stressed the importance of investigative journalism: "This is a very important moment for the journalism community of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are opening a new process that will positively affect journalists and the public in more ways than one. We must understand that this work is of utmost importance for advancement of freedom of media and freedom of expression, which is essential for any community looking to move forward."

The EU award for investigative journalism will be given each year in the period of three years in each of seven EU-Enlargement countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Turkey, rewarding the investigative journalistic work published in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Investigative stories contributing to transparency and reporting on societal issues related to abuse of power and fundamental rights, corruption and organised crime that otherwise would not have been brought to the public's attention will qualify for the award. The award fund for seven beneficiary countries for three years in total is 210,000 euro. Annual award fund for each country is 10,000 euro; 1-3 journalists shall be awarded in each country each year; 3000- 5000 euro per individual prize is to be awarded. 

The call for awards in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be open until April 23rd, 2015. For further details, please visit http://www.media.ba/bs/event/nagrada-eu-za-istrazivacko-novinarstvo-u-bih