A journalistic investigation from the Republic of Moldova wins for the first time “European Press Prize”, the most important European distinction in journalism

In the service of Moscow ”, an undercover investigation conducted by the Guard newspaper (ZdG) in the Republic of Moldova and signed by the journalists Măriuța Nistor and Natalia Zaharescu, obtained the” European Press Prize “, the most important European distinction in journalism, in the category” Investigation Journalism “.

It is for the first time that a journalistic investigation from the Republic of Moldova, a team of journalists from the Republic of Moldova and a media institution in the Republic of Moldova obtain this European distinction in journalism, notes the publication Ziarul de Garda.

In the service of Moscow. Undercover investigation – by Măriuța Nistor, Natalia Zaharescu (Guard newspaper) – documented for several months the way Ilan Șor's network, the Moldovan oligarch that fled to Moscow to escape prison, and recruited people to serve Russia's interests in the Republic of Moldova. The purpose of the network was to compromise the pro-EU referendum and the pro-European president Maia Sandu.

“A amazing undercover investigation”

“This story investigates the influence of Russia on the presidential elections and the referendum on European integration, held in the Republic of Moldova in October and November 2024. The Russian Federation acted in Moldova through a network of tens of thousands, coordinated from Moscow by the oligarch Ilan Șor. Being infiltrated in the network of Șor and documenting the activities inside, using hidden rooms and false identities, “describes the organizers of the” European Press Prize “investigation.

“An inquiry investigation, which shows how Russian money and influence networks operated in Moldova-paying cash to participate in meetings and vote against the pro-EU candidate Maia Sandu,” the jury members who decided the winning investigation noted.

About the European Press Prize

The winners of the “European Press Prize” were announced on Wednesday night, in a ceremony organized in Bari, in Italy.

Five press materials were nominated in the category “Investigation Journalism”. The undercover Investigation “in the service of Moscow” competed with four other articles, made by teams of journalists from European countries: “Bismarck's cottage in the forest”, “Dead prices – as the big pharmaceutical companies in Europe”, “from the work of the children in me – to your electric car” essential ”.

The process of selection of winners and finalists this year started from October last year, when registrations for the European Press Prize were opened. Of the over 800 applicants from 44 countries, in April the 25 finalists were announced, five for each category: reporting, innovation, investigation journalism, journalism about migration, public discourse.

Each prize has a value of 10,000 euros, “an amount that, where possible, is to be used for a personal project that can, in turn, contribute to enriching the journalistic practice”, the organizers “European Press Prize” said.

European Press Prize celebrates the highest achievements in European journalism. The prize is possible due to the support of several foundations and organizations that promote quality journalism in Europe: Democracy and Media Foundation, IMEDD-Incubator for Education and Development in Media, Jyllands-Posten Foundation, Media Development Investment Fund, Politiken Foundation, The Scott Trust, The Irish Times Trust Limited and Stichting Veronica. Also, the Journalism Prize about migration is supported by Robert Bosch Stiftung.

Just two days ago, the investigation also received the Grand Prize at “Superscrieri”, one of the most important journalistic materials in Romania. The article obtained the first place and in the category “The best journalistic investigation of the year 2024” in the two countries. At the same time, the journalist ZdG Măriuța Nistor, one of the authors of the investigation, became the winner of the Superscrieri Stock Exchange – Ion Rațiu for investigative journalism.