N1 TV wins ethics and courage in journalism award

The jury statement said that N1 TV’s live coverage, news shows, reporting and investigative reports have been de facto doing the job of the Serbian public broadcaster. “Everything that the (Serbian state TV) RTS and (Radio TV Vojvodina) RTV under the law on public media services are obliged to, true, unbiased, complete and timely reporting as well as respect for professional standards and the code of journalism, is present in N1 TV shows,” it said.  

The jury said that the fact that N1 has not changed its editorial policy despite threats, pressure and possible danger to its journalists shows the ethics and courage of the station.  

It said that Cvijic won the award for twenty years of reporting on crime and corruption which the jury feels takes special courage in Serbia. “Cvijic’s investigative stories dealt not only with the most dangerous local criminals and dirty business but he also uncovered corruption in the intelligence services and top ranks of the authorities causing him frequent problems: he has been under surveillance, his car was broken into and his computer stolen and his reporting on businessman Stanko Subotic has made him a target of pro-government media for years,” the jury said.  

The awards will be presented a ceremony on October 23.