The 2025 edition of the CEI SEEMO Award for Outstanding Merits in Investigative Journalism has reaffirmed the pivotal role of investigative reporting in revealing human rights violations, social discrimination, corruption, gender inequality, and environmental challenges.
In the category “Professional journalists” the award (ex aequo) was bestowed upon Bogdana Lazarova (Bulgarian National Television, Bulgaria) and Yevheniia Motorevska (The Kyiv Independent, Ukraine), while in the category “Young professional journalists” the award (ex aequo) was presented to Edoardo Anziano (IRPI Media, Italy) and Daniel Kotecký (Deník Referendum, Czechia).
The award ceremony took place in Chișinău, Moldova, on 17 November 2025 during the South East Europe Media Forum . Barbara Fabro (CEI) and Marina Constantinou (SEEMO) introduced the winners, who then had the opportunity to deliver a brief presentation of their work.
The other winners in the category “Professional journalists” will be awarded in December in Podgorica: Roman Anin (iStories / OCCRP, Moldova) and Anuška Delić (Oštro, Slovenia).
Launched in 2008 by the CEI and the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), the Award is one of the first initiatives in Central, South and Eastern Europe dedicated to recognising excellence in investigative journalism. Over the years, its regional relevance and impact have steadily grown, a fact reflected this year in the remarkable number and quality of applications received this year, which have made the selection process especially competitive.
Read the full press release here: LINK
The CEI SEEMO Award for Outstanding Merits in Investigative Journalism seeks to foster high-quality investigative journalism and to recognise journalists working under challenging conditions, often facing threats to media freedom and personal safety.
For more info: fabro@cei.int
