Andreea Pavel, co-founder of Info Sud-Est, is the winner of the Ion Rațiu Prize for Journalism 2023, announces the Rațiu Center for Democracy and the Rațiu Forum. This is the first time this trophy has reached the local press.
“Andreea Pavel was selected for her journalistic activity in the local media (Constanța), which includes investigations regarding corruption cases, articles regarding social problems and cultural heritage, and also for her professionalism and effort of recruiting and training young journalists”, as is stated in the press release of the Rațiu Centre for Democracy.
“Among other investigations signed by the 2023 winner, the nomination committee has considered her investigation series regarding the 1 Billion Euro amount granted by the European Union with the purpose of fighting poverty and supporting the development of the Tulcea region and of the Danube Delta. These articles were followed by a European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation into the fraud”, the quoted source added.
“There is little quality journalism work in the local media and there is even less excellent journalism work in the local media. But local media is vital for the democracy. At the same time, it is super-vulnerable – it lacks funding, it is harassed by politicians, its work is being stolen, even by journalist fellows from national media… Besides her investigations or her articles on social and cultural heritage topics, Andreea brings young journalists into the team and is helping them grow. These days there are hardly any young journalists interested to work in the local media. However, she and her colleagues are able to recruit and pay them. And she does something more. She follows up on her stories. She follows the stories until the end.”, explain the members of the Nomination Committee.
“We are glad that the Ion Rațiu Journalism Award is granted to a local journalist this year. Local media needs support and appreciation and this talented and devoted journalist confirms its strength. She has been also passing over her passion for journalism to the young generation, a mission to which we are also committed through our work at the Rațiu Forum – for instance, through our mentorship programme for young journalists or our journalism workshops.”, states Nicolae Rațiu, Chairman of the Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation.
Andreea Pavel is a journalist since 2007 and the co-founder of Info Sud-Est, a Constanța based local publication, which was launched in 2012. She is also a reporter and editor at G4Media. She wrote numerous investigations and features about local corruption, the destruction of the historic and cultural heritage, European funds, the Black Sea and the Danube Delta. Her investigations have led to criminal investigations, including one by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
She has been researching and publishing international investigations together with journalists from OCCRP, Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germay), NRC or The Correspondent (The Netherlands). She also wrote for HotNews, RISE Project, Scena9, Libertatea, Context.ro. In 2014 she was named Young Journalist of the Year by Freedom House Foundation Romania and she has won more distinctions in the last 5 years at the Superscrieri Awards.
The Ion Rațiu Journalism Award was established in 2015, inspired by the example of Ion Rațiu who, upon his return to Romania after 50 years in exile, fought for freedom of the press. The Award promotes and encourages investigative journalism in Romania by rewarding the most important achievements of Romanian journalists. The nominations of investigative journalists are made by the Center for Independent Journalism, Active Watch, and by representatives of Romanian journalism faculties and departments. Former Awardees: Cristian Andrei, Europa Liberă; Victor Ilie; Recorder; Diana Oncioiu, Dela0; Alex Nedea, Recorder; Paul Radu, RISE Project; Ovidiu Vanghele, Să Fie Lumină; Emilia Șercan, Pressone; Cătălin Tolontan, Libertatea.
The Rațiu Family Charitable Foundation was established in London in 1979 by Ion and Elisabeth Rațiu to promote and support projects that further education and research in the culture and history of Romania, both in Romania and the UK. The Foundation offers up to 100 annual grants, principally for projects, postgraduate courses, conference participations, travel grants, short term courses, and academic research.
The Rațiu Democracy Centre was created in 2004 with the support from the Rațiu Family Charitable Foundation, to maintain and continue the legacy of Ion Rațiu, as well as his commitment to democratic values. In the last 18 years, the Rațiu Democracy Centre has developed projects with a local, regional and international impact.
The Rațiu Forum is a joint initiative of the Rațiu Family Charitable Foundation, the Rațiu Democracy Centre and the London School of Economics IDEAS think tank. The Ratiu Forum is a part of the Central and South-East Europe Programme of LSE IDEAS, focused on strengthening co-operation in the region.
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