This session will bring together some of the best investigative reporters from Croatia and the Western Balkans region. In a direct conversation with festival visitors, they will showcase highlights from their most challenging and impactful investigations, discussing how their work has influenced systems and changed lives.

Investigative journalism is the highest form of journalism—one that truly acts as a watchdog of power and safeguards the public interest. It requires time, resources, dedication, and persistence. However, investigative journalists often face legal, physical, financial, and other forms of threats and intimidation. When working on long-term or highly sensitive investigations, the mental toll can be high.

Do we, as citizens, recognise and value this work? Is there a support system within newsrooms and the broader media environment that provides legal protection and prioritises the mental well-being of journalists who risk their lives to uphold our rights? These are the questions that this session will address.

This session is organised in partnership with Journalismfund Europe

Dora Krsul | Telegram

Radmilo Markovic | Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)

Hrvoje Šimicevic | Portal Novosti

Moderated by Therese Comodini Cachia, The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation

Conversation in English with interpretation in Croatian