Bonnier Award to Marian Männi

Bonnier Award to Marian Männi

Eesti Ekspress reporter Marian Männi wins the Bonnier Award in Estonia.

Estonia’s top journalism prize was awarded yesterday to Eesti Ekspress reporter Marian Männi in a ceremony in Tallinn. The prize, now in its 22nd year, is given annually to recognize the best efforts in investigative journalism in Estonia.

Männi won for her exposé of suspicious business activity and lies of the newly appointed Minister of Rural Affairs. Some two and a half weeks later, the Minister resigned.

Along with Männi, there were three finalists: Koit Brinkmann, Äripäev, for his reporting on Tallinn`s waste business, where a group of businessmen stored tens of thousands of tons of garbage on government land without any penalties; Tuuli Jõesaar of Eesti Päevaleht, who discovered that the Veterinary and Food Board allowed sales of Cellfood, a dangerous sulphuric acid dilution; and Tuuli Koch, Risto Berendson and Oliver Kund of Postimees, who exposed a political corruption case with a  well-known businessman who accused politicians of asking for huge bribes.

The award was founded in 1996 by Bonnier, which continues to sponsor the award.