(ANSA) - CHISINAU, NOV 18 - The 2025 edition of the Award for High Merit in Investigative Journalism, sponsored by the Central European Initiative (CEI) and South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO), confirms the essential value of investigative journalism in bringing to light human rights violations, social discrimination, corruption, gender inequality and environmental issues. In the "Professional Journalists" section, the prize was awarded ex aequo to Bulgarian journalist Bogdana Lazarova (Bulgarian National Television), Ukrainian Yevheniia Motorevska (The Kyiv Independent), Moldavian Roman Anin (iStories / OCCRP) and Slovenian Anuška Delić (Oštro). In the "Young Professional Journalists" section, the ex aequo award went to Italian journalist Edoardo Anziano (IRPI Media) and Czech Daniel Koteckì (Deník Referendum). Launched in 2008, the Prize is among the first initiatives dedicated to excellence in investigative journalism in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The award was presented during the South East Europe Media Forum in Chișinău, Moldova, which delved into the theme "Enemies of the media and how to deal with them" with speeches by journalists, editors, academics, representatives of institutions and civil society. Opening the proceedings was the Speaker of the Parliament of Moldova, Igor Grosu. Among the topics of discussion: investigative journalism in times of war, the relationship between media and politics-with a focus on Moldova-and the role of European information values in strengthening democracy. (ANSA).