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Intrepid Investigative Reporters in Russia and Pakistan Win Premier International Journalism Award

PR Newswire

A reporter investigating corruption in Russia and a seasoned Pakistani journalist known for courageous muckraking reports have won the 2013 Knight International Journalism Award, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) announced. The award recognizes excellent reporting that makes a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Roman Anin, a reporter for Russia’s daily Novaya Gazeta, has demonstrated how Russian companies and officials have created a culture of corruption that reaches far beyond the country’s borders. Umar Cheema, an investigative reporter for Pakistan’s largest English-language daily, The News, has set a new standard for courage and quality journalism in a country where reporters are routinely attacked and murdered.

“These top-notch investigative journalists define bravery,” said ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan. “Their pursuit of the truth, despite serious threats, is inspiring. They fearlessly expose abuses and ultimately change policies.”

The award is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which funds ICFJ’s Knight International Journalism Fellowships Program. The fellows seed new ideas and services that deepen coverage, expand news delivery and engage citizens in the editorial process.

Four of Anin’s colleagues at Novaya Gazeta have been murdered in the last decade, but Anin remains undaunted. He continues to document high-level corruption through his work with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).

His dogged reporting led to documents and data showing nearly $1 billion had vanished from Russia’s budget over a five-year period. It ended up in a maze of offshore accounts and shell companies throughout Europe, some of it traced to Russian officials and their relatives. Anin’s work sparked investigations in five countries and the European Union.

He has helped break stories in the Financial Times, the BBC and Sveriges Television (SVT), Sweden’s public broadcaster. SVT collaborated with Anin on a story that revealed corruption in a deal between Swedish telecom TeliaSonera and the daughter of Uzbek President Islam Karimov. The report led to the resignation of the telecom’s CEO.