January 5, 2018

Light of Justice award goes to investigative journalist

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Natalia Sedletska

KYIV – Investigative journalist Natalie Sedletska of the TV program “Schemes” was presented the Light of Justice award on December 2, 2017, at the 10th gala dinner of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU).

The award was established by the late Dr. Anastasia Shkilnyk, a Ukrainian Canadian philanthropist, author and academic who named it after her father, a renowned lawyer and community and political activist during the liberation movement of Ukraine in 1917-1920, Dr. Mykhailo Shkilnyk.

The award is intended to recognize Ukrainians who distinguish themselves for moral, spiritual and ethical leadership. Previous recipients of the award include former Ukrainian dissident Yevhen Sverstiuk; Mustafa Dzhemilev, former chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people; and community activist Larissa Zalyvna.

Bishop Borys Gudziak, President of UCU, said as he presented the award: “Anastasia Shkilnyk was a very noble woman. I hope that you can acquaint yourself with her, and that this award, which she established in the name of her father, will encourage you to always gather that which is necessary today, tomorrow and the day after in our country, and in our journalism profession.”

In attendance this year was the family representative of Dr. Shilnyk, former journalist Michael Bociurkiw. The recipient was chosen by a committee of professionals and UCU representatives based on feedback on a shortlist provided to prominent individuals in Ukrainian business and society.

Mr. Bociurkiw commented: “At a time when journalists are under assault both here in Ukraine and overseas, it is immensely important to honor the bravery and persistence of media professionals such as Natalie Sedletska. Time and time again she has demonstrated, through her probing investigative journalism, that even the most powerful figures in Ukrainian society are not immune from critical scrutiny. Corruption is endemic in Ukraine, and Natalie has exposed many hidden schemes – often at great risk to herself. I believe she is a shining example of ethical and moral leadership in a profession whose contributions to society are often underestimated or not appreciated.”

“This high reward is an important sign of support and a source of further inspiration in the work for me. The corruption system squeezes out ‘dissenters.’ Therefore, I would like to dedicate this award to all colleagues and like-minded people who continue to struggle and do not give up despite the tremendous pressure,” Ms. Sedletska stated.

The honoree is a leading Ukrainian journalist with vast experience in investigations of the corruption schemes of Ukrainian public officials. In summer 2014, she founded the investigative TV program called “Schemes. Corruption in Detail” with the support of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Since then it is regularly broadcast by the Ukrainian First TV channel (Ukraine’s public broadcaster).

At the Kyiv gala to benefit the Ukrainian Catholic University.

Oleksandr Laskin

At the Kyiv gala to benefit the Ukrainian Catholic University.

In 2016, she received the Oleksandr Kryvenko Award, the most prestigious award in Ukrainian journalism. She was also on the list of young Ukrainian leaders, “Top 30 Under 30,” compiled by the Ukrainian English-language outlet Kyiv Post.

In 2015 Ms. Sedletska went undercover as part of a British Channel 4 television documentary, “From Russia With Cash,” about corrupt deals behind London’s property boom. She is part of the famous Yanukovych leaks project, which was awarded the Global Shining Light Award in Norway in 2015 and The M100 Sanssouci Media Award in Potsdam in 2014.

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