The National Coalition for Decentralisation has awarded Radmilo Markovic the Svetionicari award for exceptional contributions to combating corruption in Serbia in the journalism category.
The jury stated that Markovic’s work focuses on uncovering corruption, criminal networks, and institutional irresponsibility – “precisely where the consequences are not abstract but directly affect citizens’ safety, the rule of law, and trust in institutions.
“His journalism is not based on speed, but on thoroughness. On patiently reading court files. On analysing police documents. On verifying data from multiple sources. On persistently asking questions. It does not accept the silence of institutions, selective application of the law, or keeping cases ‘in a drawer’ as acceptable,” the jury wrote.
The jury members were journalist Vuk Cvijic, Miroslav Mijatovic, from the Podrinje Anti-Corruption Team, Zlatko Minic, from Transparency Serbia, Pavle Dimitrijevic, from CRTA, and Zoran Gavrilovic, from BIRODI.
They described Markovic as “an example of professional integrity and personal courage,” noting that he has brought facts to the public that were often uncomfortable – but necessary.
“His articles expose concrete mechanisms of abuse of power, institutional cover-ups, and the lack of accountability. His investigations have helped raise awareness that corruption in the security and judicial sectors is not only a matter of financial abuse, but also a matter of citizens’ safety and equality before the law. At a time when facts are relativised and the media face pressure, his journalism remains firmly rooted in verifiable data and the ethical standards of the profession,” the jury concluded.
The Svetionicari Award is presented in three categories: activists, journalists and civil society organisations.
In the civil society organisation category, the award was given to the investigative portal KRIK and the Becej Youth Association (BUM).
The winner in the activist category is geological engineer Zoran Djajic, who spoke about irregularities in the work of Chinese and Serbian companies engaged in the reconstruction of the railway station in Novi Sad. After the collapse of the station’s canopy in November 2024, 16 people were killed.
The Svetionicari Award is presented by the National Coalition for Decentralization with the support of Sweden as part of the Belgrade Open School programme, “Civil Society for Advancing Serbia’s EU Accession – Europe ASAP.