An important confirmation of quality work

N1 Television journalist Ksenija Pavkov has won the European Union’s regional prize for investigative journalism for her documentary In the Network, which investigates how criminal smuggling gangs targeting refugees and migrants operate within Serbia. “Until the last moment we actually didn’t know who had won,” Pavkov said, adding that it feels great and represents an important confirmation of quality.

The prize was presented to Ksenija Pavkov on Friday in Ankara. This is the first award from the European Union for investigative journalism for N1 Television.

‘Last night I was very happy. Until the very last moment we didn’t actually know who won which place. When they announced third place, it was clear to me: aha, that’s not me. For the second, I realized it wasn’t our movie either. And when they announced my name, I was so excited that now I wouldn’t even know what the jury’s explanation was. I’m waiting for an official statement to see their reasoning. It feels really great and is an important confirmation of quality work when you stand next to colleagues and investigative journalists whom you greatly respect,” said Ksenija Pavkov.

She emphasized that this award belongs to the entire team that worked on the film, including cinematographer Aleksandar Milanovic, editor Maja Nikolic and editor Igor Lakic.

“They all worked very hard with me, and this is proof that we did a great job,” Pavkov said.

Other award winners include BIRN journalist Sasa Dragojlo for the story The Albanian Connection: Kalashnikov’s Fuel Smuggling Gang Wars in Northern Serbia, while third place went to journalists Ajdin Kamberi and Vanja Stojic for their documentary Brother, which tells the story of the suffering of refugees together with the migrant. route.