Bonnier Award in Estonia to Tuuli Jõesaar

Earlier today, the Bonnier Award for investigative journalism in Estonia was presented in Tallinn to winning reporter Tuuli Jõesaar of national daily Eesti Päevaleht. This is the 19th year in a row the independent prize has been awarded. 

Jõessar won from among 18 nominees for her investigation on the use of the toxin chlorine dioxide as a “miracle” cure for children. The series of articles on chlorine dioxide, known as MMS in Estonia, demonstrated how widely popular pseudoscience really is in the country.  After the articles were published, the police launched an investigation into the activities of chlorine dioxide promoters. Police and child welfare inspectors visited homes that had reported using the substance on children, and the Estonian Medical Association expelled a doctor who was a chlorine dioxide enthusiast.

The finalists for the prize were:

Piret Reiljan, Koit Brinkmann and Katariina Krjutshkova of business daily Äripäev for their investigation on a business coalition of fuel companies who influenced government decisions for their own benefit following elections. 

Tarmo Vahter, Mikk Salu and Margus Järv of news weekly Eesti Ekspress for their investigation into the financial activities of a political family.