Media freedom is a vital component of a functioning democracy. Reliable reporting and investigative journalism inform citizens about what is going on in society and inside government, forming the basis of a healthy public debate. Cartoonists, who use their pencils to hold power accountable and to expose injustice, power abuse and corruption, cannot do their work without this freedom.

Together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, we invited cartoonists, illustrators and artists from the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) to visualize the importance of media freedom and the value of independent journalism.

Out of a total of 186 submissions from 95 artists, an expert jury selected 44 works that make up this exhibition, which is on display in six countries in the Western Balkans.

Awards

Winner - Dušan Petričić - Serbia

Runner-up - Armend Ajredini

Special mention - Anastasija Visekruna

Jury

Dina Bajramspahić – Montenegro Media Institute Program Coordinator
Milica Šarić – Director of CINS (Center for Investigating Journalism od Serbia)
Klodiana Kapo – Managing Director at Faktoje
Xhemajl Rexha, Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Filip Andronik – Professional comic artist
Igor Stevkovski Stevac – Professional artist and comic designer