The team of journalists from the TV show “KOD” won the first prize for Best Investigative Story at this year’s “Nikola Mladenov 2024” journalism awards for their investigative series on tenders in the energy sector, published on TV Telma.

The “KOD” team’s investigation uncovered serious corruption within state institutions in the awarding of tenders and procurements in the energy sector, involving multimillion-dollar sums. The journalists demonstrated exceptional commitment and conducted a comprehensive investigation, backed by facts and data, revealing to the public how certain officials and companies close to the previous government abused tender procedures.

The second prize for Best Investigative Story was awarded to journalist Petar Klincharski for his series of articles on the State Lottery, published on the Radio Free Europe web portal.

Through a series of articles, Klincharski exposed illegal activities within the State Lottery, specifically regarding the lease of new office space and tenders conducted by the joint-stock company during the tenure of its former director. This was an in-depth journalistic investigation, supported by facts, evidence, and credible sources, which triggered strong public reactions. As a result, the Government and the State Lottery terminated the contracts, and the former director, along with the owners of the contracted companies, became subjects of financial investigations.

The Investigative Reporting Laboratory (IRL) team won the third prize for Best Investigative Story for their investigation “Stolen Lives”, broadcast on MTV1 and published on the IRL web portal.

“Stolen Lives” exposed fraud involving quick loans, in which citizens’ personal data leaked from state institutions and were exploited by organized crime groups from Macedonia, Kosovo, and Bulgaria. The investigation vividly illustrated the consequences of institutional failures in ensuring proper oversight of financial companies operating in the country.

The award for Most Innovative Journalistic Product was shared between:

  • The Investigative Reporting Laboratory (IRL) for their journalistic project “Mobile Newsroom: Kichevo”.
  • Journalists Marija Mitevska and Snezana Lupevska Sozen from the TV show “KOD” for their video story on the indictment related to the abduction and murder of young Vanja.

The award for Best Reporter’s Photo was given to photojournalist Gjorgji Lichovski for his photograph “Meteor Hunter”, published in the German magazine Stern.

Certificates of recognition for Outstanding Journalistic Engagement in the Best Investigative Story category were awarded to: Miroslava Simonovska; Meri Jordanovska and Antonija Janevska; Biljana Nikolovska Todorova; Aleksandar Dimitrievski; Aleksandar Metodiev and Suzana Miceva.

This year’s competition, announced on January 22 and open until February 17, 2025, received:

  • 36 investigative stories, covered in 185 articles/videos in the Best Investigative Story category
  • 5 topics, covered in 12 articles/videos in the Most Innovative Journalistic Product category
  • 16 photographs in the Best News Photography category

MIM has traditionally awarded the Best Investigative Story prize since 2001. Since 2013, the award has carried the name of esteemed journalist and founder of the weekly “Fokus”, Nikola Mladenov.

A photo gallery from the event can be viewed here.