Barbara Štrbac, a journalist with the news division of Croatia’s Nova TV, has been selected as this year’s United Media Fellow for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford.

She will join the six-month fellowship program this fall.

The Reuters Journalism Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for professional development, and United Media is proud of its long-standing partnership with the University of Oxford. This program allows accomplished journalists to expand their knowledge, enhance their skills, and connect with leading media professionals from around the world.

“We are proud to continue our cooperation with the University of Oxford this year and are pleased that Barbara has been selected for the Reuters program. Last year’s fellow, Nevena Madžarević, was very impressed with the program and has already started applying the knowledge she gained in her everyday work,” said Aleksandra Subotić, CEO of United Media.

Barbara described this opportunity as an invaluable experience for professional growth and global connection:

“The chance to develop my skills at Oxford, at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, is simply unmissable. It’s an opportunity to deepen my knowledge at the highest level, to learn from some of the most influential colleagues in the field, and to share my own experiences with others. The resources I’ll have access to during those six months at Oxford are truly extraordinary. I’m especially excited to meet fellow journalists from around the world—because for international reporters, strong networks are absolutely invaluable,” she said.

Barbara Štrbac began her journalism career in 1999 at Kanal Ri in Rijeka, and joined Nova TV Croatia in 2010, after five years at Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT). For viewers of Nova TV, she reported from earthquake-stricken Turkey, covered Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, followed the refugee crisis in 2015, and reported on the crash of a military drone in Poland. She covered mass shootings in Serbia, and reported on numerous floods and wildfires both in Croatia and abroad. She also reported from some of the world’s most significant events, including the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the funeral of Pope Francis and the election of the new Pope Leo XIV, as well as Finland’s accession to NATO.

In her spare time, Barbara is an avid sports enthusiast. She regularly competes in the Journalists’ Ski World Championships, where she has won numerous medals, and in 2020 she became a world champion. With the Nova TV team, she has won the Fiumanka sailing regatta several times. As a passionate diver, she also takes part in underwater cleanup initiatives whenever she gets the chance.