25 August 2018 - Internationally highly respected freelance Montenegrin journalist, Jovo Martinović, known for his work on investigative stories, is the winner of the 2018 Peter Mackler Award for Courageous and Ethical Journalism.
Jovo Martinović is widely acknowledged for his large-scale reporting on organized crime in Europe and war criminals in the Balkans. He has bravely devoted himself to high-profile journalistic research projects, reporting the truth about his investigation on trafficking and corruption within Montenegro. This fearless journalist has done extensive work on exposing war crimes during and after the 1999 war in Kosovo.
His reporting has appeared in numerous news outlets, mostly international, including The Economist, National Public Radio, GlobalPost, BBC, Time, Vice, CBS, Canal Plus, The Financial Times and the Balkan Investigative Reporting network. Numerous Martinović’s colleague journalists expressed deep respect of his broad investigations in the period of turbulence in the aspect of international peace and harmony, especially in the time of accusations that Jovo is a member of a criminal organisation.
In fact, in 2015, Martinović was arrested on charges of participation in marijuana trafficking and participation in a criminal organisation. The charges were filed in relation to Martinović’s investigations into drug trafficking, weapons smuggling and other criminal activity. During the time of his research, Martinovic’s journalistic investigations brought him into contact with wide variety of people, some of whom may have been involved in criminal activities at some point. According to the prosecution’s request for an investigation, the reporter is suspected of mediating in the setting up of a criminal group for drug smuggling. Martinović has rejected all accusations and explained that his contacts with criminal circles were strictly professional and in the context of journalism investigation. After more than 14 months of detention, the journalist was released early in 2017, but he is still facing trial and up to 10 years in prison if convicted. Still, the aforementioned release implies restrictions in regards to his freedom of movement, which renders the journalist unable to thoroughly carry out the work-related activities.
Nevertheless, Jovo Martinovic's reputation for professional integrity, reliability, trustworthiness and dedication all led to his selection as a recepient for one of the most prestigios awards that honors reporters and editors who have demonstrated a commitment to courage and ethics, The Peter Mackler Award.
“We are thrilled to name Jovo Martinović as this year’s winner of the Peter Mackler Award,” said Camille Mackler, the award’s project director at the Global Media Forum Training Group. “The Balkans was a region that Peter Mackler, my father, covered extensively through several conflicts. I can think of no greater tribute, on this 10th year of the award, than to recognize the achievements of a journalist who has courageously and at great personal cost devoted himself to reporting truth from that part of the world. The media are under attack like never before, and during this turbulent period for global order, it is more critical than ever to remember the principles of ethical and courageous journalism. Jovo Martinović has repeatedly displayed these qualities as he has fought to pursue his profession.”
Jovo Martinović will be honored on September 27th, 6:30 to 9 PM, at the Craig Newmark School of Journalism at the City University of New York. Unfortunately, Martinović will be unable to accept his prize in person, and will participate in the award event via video conference.
“I am deeply honored and grateful for being chosen as the Peter Mackler Award recipient for 2018. It’s a great encouragement to carry on in journalism despite all the obstacles that I and my colleagues face in Montenegro and other Balkan countries,” Martinović explained.
A panel discussion about journalism and press freedoms in the Balkans and a networking reception will follow immediately after the award ceremony.
