Czech journalist among those awarded by the Council of Europe for ethical reporting about Romani people
Simona Janíková, a reporter with the Okraj [Fringe] publication in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic, has received the prestigious Journalism Excellence Award 2025 from the Council of Europe. She won for her interview with Romani activist Miroslav Klempár, who exposes the issue of Romani children’s segregation in the Czech schools.
Janíková received the award during a ceremony in Strasbourg, France on 18 June. The interview awarded by the Council of Europe was made at the end of 2024 and was part of a wider series on Romani education in Ostrava produced with the support of the Czech Endowment Fund for Independent Journalism (Nadační fond nezávislé žurnalistiky).
The series not only provided an analysis of the problem, but also an interview with the deputy mayor of Moravská Ostrava and Přívoz. She resigned after her statements in the interview were published.
According to the award jury, it was this work that contributed to political change. “It is a great honor for me and I appreciate the award very much. I think not just I, but also the entire team, have been motivated to continue working,” said Janíková.
“This award proves our reporting from the region can be seen in the Czech Republic and in Europe, has a genuine impact, and that it makes sense to address sensitive but neglected social issues,” added Janíková. Eleni Tsetsekou, the head of the Council of Europe’s Division for Roma and Travellers, called the award-winning interview “exceptionally honest journalistic work with deep insight and high ethical standards for portraying Roma.”
This year, journalists from Greece, Hungary, Slovenia, and Ukraine were awarded the prize along with Janíková. The winners were honored during No Hate Speech Week 2025 in Strasbourg.
The Journalism Excellence Awards focus on the fair and sensitive portrayal of Roma and Traveller communities in the media. They are presented in five categories including interview, investigation, photojournalism, and reporting by young journalists.
The Council of Europe has been bestowing this award since 2024 as part of its Strategy for the Inclusion of Roma and Travellers. Okraj [Fringe] is an independent regional media outlet founded in early 2024 by three journalists – Klára Filipová, Simona Janíková, and Jan Žabka.
All three left positions with the national media in Prague to focus on analytical, in-depth journalism right in the Moravian-Silesian Region. Okraj focuses on political and social subjects including the environment and produces the Okrajový podcast.
Okraj operates thanks to grants from Czech and European journalistic organizations and the support of small donors. In addition to the Council of Europe award, Okraj also received the prestigious 2024 OSF Foundation Journalism Award in the Regional Journalism category in May 2025 – Jan Žabka was awarded for his report on the aging population in the Bruntál district.
