BIRN Wins Kosovo Journalism Award

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A BIRN investigative report has won a top journalism prize in Kosovo.

"Ex-Policemen Run Kosovo Passport Scam", an investigative report by Krenar Gashi and BIRN investigative team, published in BIRN’s Balkan Insight, was named best story in printed/online journalism in Kosovo for 2006, by the Association of Professional Journalists of Kosova, APJK, on May 11.

A professional jury consisted of top journalists from local and international media, such as the BBC and VOA, selected Gashi’s story from 30 nominations in this category.

The award was presented by Ramiz Kelmendi, a pioneer of Kosovo journalism.
 
"The structure of the story is just perfect and it provides many new and interesting facts for the readers," said Besim Abazi, VOA correspondent from Kosovo and a member of the jury, after announcing Gashi as the winner.
 
"The topic was crucial, relevant and really appealing," he added.
 
The investigation published in Balkan Insight on December 1 2006, came as a result of successful co-operation between BIRN Kosovo and BIRN Serbia and revealed an illegal trade in passports, run by ex-policemen who work with organised
crime groups
 
The BIRN investigation published in Balkan Insight on December 1 2006, revealed an illegal trade in passports, run by ex-policemen who work with organised crime groups.
 
APJK also presented awards for the best televised story, best radio story and best correspondent of the year.