Skopje, 23 April 2024 (MIA) – The journalists Aleksandar Metodijev and Suzana Miceva and MIA’s Shtip correspondent Viktorija Dimitrova Jovanova on Tuesday were presented with the award for best stories titled “Facts and disinformation on the environment”, handed out by the Council for Media Ethics of Macedonia (SEMM).

The Council also presented three commendations to the journalist Martin Pushevski for his series of stories on air pollution, mines and afforestation campaigns; the journalist Vanja Miceva for the series of stories on the Skopje environment, mega parks and the pet graveyard, and MIA’s Kavadraci correspondent Svetlana Darudova for her story on the losses of grapes waste not being used for energy production. 

The winning stories were picked by a three-member jury out of 20 articles submitted by 13 journalists.  

SEMM President Biljana Georgievski, a jury member, said the award is an attempt to place these topics higher on the agenda of the media outlets. 

“We received 20 articles and this makes us happy because the topic is connected to an area that is unjustly put on the sidelines,” she said speaking at the awards ceremony. 

At the event, EU Ambassador David Geer said a call for action on the topic is needed. “For that to happen, the public has to have access to credible information on the scope of these issues and on accountability,” he stated. 

According to him, journalists play a vital role in informing the public and casting a light on misuse all the while demonstrating good models for action. 

Joshua Massarenti, UNESCO regional project coordinator based in Sarajevo, said it’s no coincidence that the competition is part of UNESCO’s program. 

According to him, the project fosters freedom of expression in southeast Europe by promoting free pluralist media and recognition of journalism as a public good and tackling of disinformation. 

A rulebook on better reporting of artificial intelligence was also promoted as part of the event.

SEMM presents the awards as part of the project on building trust in the media in Southeastern Europe, supported by UNESCO and the European Union.

Photo: MIA