Zeljko Ivanovic, founder and journalist of the Montenegrin daily Vijesti, won a Freedom of the Media Award presented by the Transantlantic Leadership Network (TLN), a Washington-based nonpartisan think tank.
He is one of the six laureates, including Rappler CEO and Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa, recognised for reporting that exposes betrayals of the public trust and demonstrates the importance and impact of journalism that holds powerful people and organizations accountable.
Ivanovic won The Award for Commentary and Criticism presented for incisive coverage of cultural and political issues with which societies grapple, including racism, religious prejudice, sexual abuse, and loss of public trust in institutions.
Vijesti, with whom MDIF has worked for more than two decades, is an independent daily in Montenegro and, along with its sister station TV Vijesti, the country’s most trusted source of news, known for tirelessly shining a light on corruption and holding the powerful to account.