Milan Ćulibrk, Economy Editor at the Serbian weekly Radar, is this year’s recipient of the “Aleksandar Tijanić” Award, presented by the Journalists’ Association of Serbia (UNS) for courage in journalism.

A long-time journalist and editor devoted primarily to economic topics of broad interest to both print and television audiences, Ćulibrk has succeeded in explaining even the most complex banking and financial operations, money flows and values, and numerous economic unknowns in a clear, effective and engaging language, the jury stated in its unanimous decision to grant him the award.

Noting that this is “only one important feature of his journalistic expression,” the jury emphasized that Ćulibrk has gone further, breaking new ground and embracing new challenges.

“With him, facts are the marble pillar that holds and sustains the entire literary tower,” the jury said.

The jury also highlighted his coverage of so-called affairs or cases, which delve deeply into the fabric of events, relationships, business dealings and operations. Thanks to Ćulibrk’s writing style, many social shortcomings are laid bare before the reader—flaws that would otherwise remain pushed to the margins.

According to the jury, in his journalistic fight for a society free of corruption and theft, Ćulibrk “does not use the language of an avenger, prosecutor or judge, but points to malignant tissues that destroy or erode the social organism through facts.” Because of these truths and diagnoses, Ćulibrk has often been attacked, from the highest levels of government down to bureaucratic sycophants.

The jury stressed that none of this has discouraged him from continuing his work with the same persuasiveness and intensity.

“His texts, built in this way and marked by high professional value and integrity, are a true blessing in today’s Serbian journalism, which has entered murky waters and stands on the very edge of survival. Milan Ćulibrk is a tireless journalistic worker who, with clean and golden hands, can carry the award bearing the name of Aleksandar Tijanić, one of the finest figures in Serbian journalism,” the jury concluded.

The jury consisted of Manojlo Vukotić (chair), Zara Tijanić, Olivera Kovačević, and last year’s laureate Zoran Kesić.

Established in 2015, the “Aleksandar Tijanić” Award has previously been presented to Jelena Popadić (Politika), Gorislav Papić (RTS), Ljubica Gojgić (RTV), Veljko Lalić (Nedeljnik), Živojin Rakočević (Politika), Jelena Zorić (N1), Sandra Petrušić (NIN), Vuk Cvijić (NIN), Ranko Pivljanin (Nova daily), and Zoran Kesić in 2024 for the program 24 Minutes.