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The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists from South East and Central Europe and an affiliate of the International Press Institute (IPI), is pleased to announce the First South East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days, which will be held in Becici/Budva, Montenegro, from 24 - 26 May 2010.
The First South East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days is being organised in cooperation with the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC).
The First South East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days starts on 24 May 2010 and will be officially opened by Ranko Krivokapic, President of the Montenegrin Parliament, Branislav Micunovic, Minister of Culture, Media and Sport, Ambassador Martin Pammer, Austrian Ambassador to Montenegro, Zeljko Ivanovic, Director of Vijesti Daily and Oliver Vujovic, SEEMO Secretary General.
The SEEMO Vienna office has registered more than 60 leading investigative journalists from across South East and Central Europe for the First South East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days, as well as Montenegrin CEOs, editors-in-chief and leading journalists - all of whom strongly welcomed the event:
"Such a conference can serve as a hub of diverse knowledge for investigative journalists to exchange information and techniques, discuss future projects and cooperation and ultimately prove itself as a wonderful, enriching empowering few days" said Besar Likmeta, from the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (Birn), Albania and winner of the SEEMO-CEI Award 2009 for Outstanding Merits in Investigative Journalism.
Bulgarian Investigative Journalist Lidiya Pavlova said: "It is a great opportunity for me to meet international colleagues and see how the land lies. The exchange of professional experience at such events could be crucial for you and you always get the feeling that you are not alone in your tough profession. You get courage to go on."
Tatiana Etco, a reporter for Ziarul de Garda, Moldova noted: "Human rights violations, social injustice, poverty, human organ trafficking, illegal migration, torture and corruption - these are problems specific not only for Moldova, but for other neighbouring countries as well. Therefore it will be appropriate to speak about the difficulties faced by investigative journalists when writing about these topics. It will be great to have the possibility to share our experiences, problems and maybe together to identify solutions during an annual meeting."
Sasa Lekovic, a freelance investigative journalist, and author and editor of the regional project Potraga, said: "The organisation of the First Investigative Journalism Days in the South East and Central Europe region by SEEMO, allows the possibility that within a couple days all leading investigative journalists can gather at the same place accordingly. The importance of investigative journalism is great - investigative journalism is the last chance for citizens to learn what is actually happening in their countries."
Zeljko Ivanovic, Director of Vijesti Daily, added: "The fact that SEEMO chose Montenegro as the country in which the first regional meeting of investigative journalists will be held is a great support for journalism in Montenegro and investigative journalists in particular. This meeting should be a stimulus to journalists in Montenegro to be as involved in investigative journalism as possible and to comply with professional standards. More than ever, Montenegro is in great need of more qualitative investigative journalism and media cooperation and solidarity."
The aim of the First South East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days is to help foster better communication, cross-border cooperation, the exchange of information among leading investigative journalists from South East and Central Europe and the discussion of difficulties faced by investigative journalists when reporting on certain topics. The local partner is Publishing Group Vijesti Daily from Montenegro.
This is the first time SEEMO is organising the South East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days and preparations have already begun for the Second South East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days which will be held in 2011 in Serbia, and for the Third South East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days - to be held in 2012 in Moldova.
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