EPP Group honours legacy of Ján Kuciak

The European Parliament’s Bureau today decided that the traineeship programme for investigative journalists in the European Parliament will be named after the murdered Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak. The idea to rename the programme after Ján Kuciak was initiated last year by Ivan Štefanec MEP, Head of the Slovak Delegation of the EPP Group.

"Soon after we learned about the brutal murder of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová, together with the leader of our group, Manfred Weber and other colleagues, I suggested that we honour the memory and work of Ján Kuciak and that we name the traineeship programme for young journalists in the European Parliament after him. Quality journalism is one of the cornerstones of a functioning democracy. I would like to thank the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, for his support and the promotion of freedom of speech. I believe that thanks to this programme, there will be a new generation of courageous investigative journalists like Ján Kuciak who will not be afraid to investigate cases of corruption and mafia connections to state structures", stated Ivan Štefanec.

"Journalists killed in the line of duty never die. The European Parliament wants to keep the memory alive of all those seeking the truth. This is why we decided to name our investigative journalist programme after Ján Kuciak. He practiced his profession with passion and courage. In his brief but promising career, he conducted inquiries into cases of suspicious financing and tax evasion. He worked with determination and surrendered to no-one. His legacy will be an inspiration for all those who want to become investigative journalists", concluded Ivan Štefanec.