What is it like to live with dementia? What happens when a high-speed train crosses a field? And who pays, and who answers for the millions spent on dogs? Participants of the Nova Ekonomija Press Academy, young journalists from local media across Serbia, went looking for answers.
What is the Press Academy?
It is a four-month programme of Nova Ekonomija dedicated to investigative and economic journalism. Participants heard from leading investigative journalists and lecturers in economics, gender-sensitive reporting and multimedia, and then developed their own stories with mentors. Their work was assessed as a serious contribution to informing the public and shedding light on socially important topics. The Academy is organised together with the Media Reform Centre Niš and the Women’s Forum Prijepolje, with the support of the European Union.
Who are the awarded participants?
The fourth generation was completed by seven participants from Vrnjačka Banja, Zaječar, Vrbas, Niš, Belgrade, Kragujevac and Bečej. The first three prizes went to Mila Dragnić for “Over the Field to the High-Speed Train”, Milica Nešić for “On the Roads of the Mines: From Zaječar to Krivelj – the Fate of Eastern Serbia” and Milica Nikolić for “Pre-Election Sedative: Lulling the Political Crisis with Cheaper Medicines”.
Among participants of the fifth generation, the best were Danijela Pavlović with the story “Living with Dementia: The Key in the Lock, Anxiety in the Heart and a Struggle Serbia Keeps Silent About”, Milica Mijailović with “Millions for Dogs – Who Pays and Who Is Accountable” and Ana Giner with “Family from the Soul: From Trauma to Trust in Adoptive Families”.
Where were the awards presented?
The final events were held in Belgrade. Participants visited the newsrooms of Nova Ekonomija, the Fonet news agency, the weekly Vreme and BIRN, and received their certificates and awards for the best works at Europe House. There they were addressed by Srđan Staletović, Director of Europe House, and, for the fifth generation, Filip Lukić, Communications Associate at Europe House, who presented the work of the institution in Serbia.