In Bishkek, the VIII Ulanbek Egizbaev Award for Best Journalistic Investigations was presented

The competition took place without donor support, uniting professionals and youth initiatives

In the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, the VIII award ceremony of the Ulanbek Egizbaev Prize was held, which this year recognized the best investigative journalism of 2025. The event was organized by the Investigative Journalism Foundation.

The ceremony featured a revamped format, where the foundation collaborated with a youth initiative group engaged in public events in memory of Ulanbek Egizbaev. Azamat Tynaev, the chairman of the foundation, noted that such collaboration symbolizes the continuity of generations and creates a bridge between the professional community of journalists and active youth.

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He also emphasized that besides the investigations themselves, it is important to support those who work in this responsible genre. Despite the lack of donor support, thanks to the efforts of the community and partners, the competition was successfully held.

The main prize of the competition amounted to 100,000 soms, and the winner was also awarded a statuette and a diploma.

As a result of the competition, the first place was taken by the "Monchok Media" team with the investigation "Is the Endemic Plant in Danger?". The second place was awarded to "Azattyk Media" for the material "Who is Behind Kyrgyzstan's Cryptocurrencies?", as well as Munarbek Imarov from Pressa.kg for the investigation related to the case of Ulanbek Egizbaev. The third place was taken by the "T-Media" team with the material "The Municipality's Blunders in Relocating the Market in Osh City".

Special prizes were awarded to "Salam Media" for the investigation "Is the Quality of Batken Rice in Danger?" and "Tandyr Media" in collaboration with "Archa Media" for the material "How is Boz-Beltak Falling Apart?".

The event organizers emphasized that the award remains an important platform for supporting independent investigative journalism and developing professional standards in the media sphere of the country.