Journalists can apply for thematic fellowships – covering online scams using AI techniques, mental health, and civil partnerships – until April 30
- 53 pieces published in 2025—including print, video, and audio media, as well as stories with civic impact—were nominated for the 15th Superscrieri Awards, out of a total of over 300 entries, divided into 9 categories: Journalistic Debut, Local Press, TV & Video Journalism, Investigative Journalism, Feature Writing, Thematic Journalism, Innovation, Interview, and Civic Influencers;
- In addition to the category awards, this edition features special prizes: the Jury Prize, the Story of the Year (€3,000), and the Readers’ Choice Award (€3,000);
- The public can vote for the Readers’ Choice Award until May 15;
- Journalists can apply for the three thematic grants—AI-powered online scams (€3,500), mental health (€2,000), and civil partnerships (4,700 RON)—until April 30;
- The jury for this year’s edition consists of 22 media professionals and is chaired by Dan Duca, editorial director of HotNews;
- This year’s anniversary edition is held under the slogan “Together we achieve more than we think” and highlights how public interest journalism has evolved over the past 15 years and shaped Romanian society;
- The winners of Superscrieri #15 will be announced at the Superscrieri Gala on May 27.
Bucharest – April 23, 2026 – 53 pieces published in 2025—including print, video, and audio media, as well as civic-minded stories—were selected from over 300 submissions and nominated in the nine categories of the Superscrieri Awards. The selection was made by a jury of 22 media professionals. The entries are competing in the following categories: Journalistic Debut, Local Press, TV & Video Journalism, Investigative Journalism, Feature Writing, Thematic Journalism, Innovation, Interview, and Civic Influencers.
“As has been the case for each of the past 15 years, a large portion of last year’s best journalistic works have made it to the Superscrieri jury’s table for evaluation, and the published list of nominations fully reflects this. It’s a list of 53 pieces that has certainly sparked—and continues to spark—joy, small (or big) moments of pride, dissatisfaction, frustration, nerves, and why not… that is, the reactions that any perfect or imperfect selection elicits at any award ceremony in the world. It’s already a cliché to say that the jury doesn’t have an easy task, but faced with such a rich “selection” as this year’s, any choice is bound to provoke such reactions. Beyond that, in yet another difficult year for the whole world, and for the media as well, I believe that in moments like these, when we are witnessing an increasingly harsh reality, it is important to reflect on the successes of communities, groups, or even small circles that have not yet given up.
I also believe it’s important for us—contestants and judges alike—not to forget that although Superscrieri is a competition, the outcome is a shared celebration, a “well done” and “thank you” to this community. It’s a story we need, a place where we can come together and find that little bit of confidence that, together, we can achieve more than we think. And we must remind our readers that our work is a public service and that without their support, this public service is in danger of becoming weaker or disappearing”, said Dan Duca, editorial director of HotNews and chairman of the jury.
The jury, chaired by Dan Duca, editorial director of HotNews, includes the following media experts: Alina Mărculescu-Matiș, Alina Radu, Cătălin Striblea, Codruța Simina, Cristian Leonte, Dragoș Pătraru, Daniel Condurache, Emilia Șercan, Irina Păcurariu, Marius Comper, Marian Voicu, Mihai Ghiduc, Mona Dîrțu, Oana Giurgiu, Paula Herlo, Paul Radu, Robert Schwartz, and Tudor Mușat. In the “Civic Influencers” category, the jury consists of Monica Jitariuc, Diana Filimon, and Cătălin Moise.
Journalists can also apply for the three thematic fellowships—online scams using AI techniques, mental health, and civil partnerships—until April 30.
The workshop on “online scams using AI techniques” is presented by Superscrieri in partnership with Bitdefender. It provides an in-depth exploration of digital fraud that utilizes artificial intelligence, with a focus on emerging tactics that target citizens through deception, manipulation, or social impact. Currently, these techniques are evolving rapidly, amplified by the use of AI to become increasingly credible and more difficult to detect and counter. Examples include voice spoofing, deepfakes, chatbots used in social engineering attacks, and malvertising. The scholarship is worth €3,500.
The “Mental Health in Romania” Scholarship is offered by Superscrieri in partnership with the Snoop editorial team, in memory of journalist Iulia Marin, who tackled this topic with sensitivity and courage. Worth €2,000, the scholarship supports in-depth reporting on a topic related to mental health in Romania and includes editorial support through a mentorship program coordinated by Alexandra Nistoroiu, a Snoop journalist. The scholarship is being awarded for the second consecutive year.
The Human Rights Scholarship: Civil Partnership in Romania is offered by Superscrieri and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and supports journalistic reporting that can bring clarity and accountability to this issue. It is worth 4,700 RON.
This year’s anniversary edition is held under the slogan “Together we achieve more than we think” and highlights how public interest journalism has evolved over the past 15 years and shaped Romanian society.
Nominations for the Superscrieri Awards #15
Journalistic Debut
- The Right to Shade: The Lack of Green Spaces Is Becoming a Matter of Life and Death in Bucharest – Anamaria Sandu (Mindcraft Stories)
- Hidden-camera investigation. How easy is it to become a driving instructor in Romania – Gabriel Nicolae, in collaboration with David Muntean (Recorder)
- The Kings of Sinaia: common areas in Beniamin Gonț’s apartment buildings, sold as luxury apartments. A new real estate scandal in the mountain resort where the mayor is accused of buying a castle with bribe money – Luiza Popovici (PressOne)
Local Press
- Foreigners in Bihor: How do the nearly 7,000 foreigners working here integrate into the local community? – Dan Simai (Bihoreanul)
- Broken hearts: What can adults do when the world comes crashing down on children? – Edit Éva Pál (Átlátszó Erdély) translated article
- “The Negoiță Circuit”. How one of the capital’s newest boulevards collapsed – Florin Râșteiu (reporter and editing), Răzvan Chiruță (reporter), Cătălin Doscaș (editor) (Buletin de București)
Feature writing
- Thirsty villages, privileged cities. A looming groundwater crisis highlights rural-urban inequalities in Moldova – Adina Florea, Cosmin Filișan (photo) (Scena9)
- A blacksmith in Corcova, a painter in Brussels – Elena Stancu, Cosmin Bumbuț (Teleleu & HotNews)
- The Black Fox of the War in Ukraine – Polina Cupcea (Oameni și Kilometri)
- On the Way to School with a Stop at the Sports Bookie – Raluca Cristea (Școala9)
- Why We Can’t Reinforce Bucharest Before the Earthquake – Vlad Odobescu, photos by Ioana Cîrlig (Scena9)
Interview
- Mihai Preda, known as Psihotrop – “The system failed when it removed today’s students’ parents from the school benches; they no longer trust the education system. /Happiness is a big word” INTERVIEW – Ada Codău (PressHUB)
- Writer Mihail Shishkin: “Russia can no longer be saved. Our responsibility is to save culture.” – Alexandra Tănăsescu (Cultura la dubă)
Răzvan Rădulescu: “I don’t want to make movies anymore. I feel like this world isn’t mine anymore” – Anca Vancu (Scena9)
- SmartJob vs. Lies | Cristina Panea, neurologist: Social media is reshaping the brain. You’re constantly exposed to fake news, and you end up believing it – Adriana Nedelea (Europa Liberă România)
- The “teenagers without adolescence” in Pirita go to school and dream of a better future, but to make that happen, they need opportunities – Oana Moisil (Meandre newsletter)
Judge Daniela Panioglu, following the Recorder report: Give up hope, it’s a controlled system – Vitalie Cojocari (Euronews Romania)
Investigation
- Justice Under Siege – Andreea Pocotilă, Mihai Voinea (Recorder)
- The Mayor: A Public Menace. Negoiță Built Roads Over Gas Pipelines – Andrei Udișteanu, Ciprian Ranghel (Recorder)
- The Romanian state is training top fighters from Horațiu Potra’s private army in three elite units of the Ministry of National Defense. PressOne sources: “It’s a hemorrhage” – Bianca Felseghi, Răzvan Filip (PressOne)
- Over 20 Years of Fraud: Dr. Cristian Andrei, Romania’s Most High-Profile Psychotherapist, Practices Without a License. Allegations of Sexual Harassment in His Office – Luiza Popovici (PressOne)
- The “Trained to Cause Chaos” Series, Episode I, Episode II, Episode III – Malvina Cojocari (CU SENS). Contributors: Irvin PEKMEZ (Detektor.ba), Enes HODZIC (Detektor.ba), Nino BILAJAC (Detektor.ba), Ralitsa FICHEVA (Factcheck.bg)
- The Kremlin’s Digital Army Series, Episode I, Episode II – Natalia Zaharescu, Măriuța Nistor; text editor: Victor Moșneag, video editor: Anatolie Eșanu, editing: Andrei Muntean (Ziarul de Gardă)
TV & Video Journalism
- The Unseen Faces of the Oligarch – Adela Șevciuc (CU SENS). Contributors: Holger Roonemaa (OCCRP), Dan McGarry (OCCRP), Misha Gagarin (OCCRP), Dmitry Velikovsky (Important Stories), Eftichia Soufleri (freelancer, Greece), Katerina Oikonomakou (Insidestory.gr), Valeriya Yegoshyna (Rferl.org/Schemes), Olesia Lantsman (Cpi.org.ua), Attila Biro (Context.ro), Ana Poenariu (Publicrecord.ro), Ralitsa Ficheva (Factcheck.bg)
- The Largest Shell Company, Verified by ANAF – Alex Nedea (Recorder)
- The Health Lottery: How Pharmacists Are Being Turned into Sales Agents – Andrei Udișteanu (Recorder)
- Alone. The Never-Ending Nightmare of Abandoned Children – Diana Meseșan, Mihai Voinea, Cristian Delcea (Recorder)
- „Trained to Cause Chaos” series, Episode I, Episode II, Episode III – Malvina Cojocari (CU SENS). Contributors: Irvin PEKMEZ (Detektor.ba), Enes HODZIC (Detektor.ba), Nino BILAJAC (Detektor.ba), Ralitsa FICHEVA (Factcheck.bg)
- The Kremlin’s Digital Army series, Episode I, Episode II – Natalia Zaharescu, Măriuța Nistor: text editor: Victor Moșneag, video editor: Anatolie Eșanu, editing: Andrei Muntean (Ziarul de Gardă)
- Loneliness in the Community: A Small Town Where “We Can’t Find Ourselves” – Oana Moisil (Snoop & Zinedevalcea)
Thematic Journalism
- The „Prea Sărac” Podcast – Andreea Vîlcu (Media DoR) / Topic: social issues (focus on social inequality)
The Good Life
I grew up hearing „we don’t have any money”
I’m terrified of poverty
- SEISM Podcast – Andrei Popoviciu (Scena9) / Category: Social
Available: Episodes 1–3
- Series on the Praid Disaster – Bianca Felseghi (PressOne) / Category: Environment
Chronicle of a Collapse Foretold: Praid Is Underwater and Silenced
The Dead River Târnava Mică: How the collapse of the Praid Salt Mine turned an entire valley into a disaster zone
Ripple effects of the salt disaster in Praid: water from dams in three counties was sacrificed to dilute the waters of the Mureș
- The „Party Money” Series – Cristian Andrei (Snoop) / Category: Politics
GOLD for Realitatea: George Simion spent one million euros on a day of promotion and nearly half that amount on a show featuring Anca Alexandrescu, but without him
“They’ve mortgaged the PNL.” Debts of 25 million euros to a single company; TV stations are calling for payment
The price of Ciucă’s book: 3,000 copies printed and promoted for 2.5 million euros
- The „Plecat” Project – Elena Stancu, Cosmin Bumbuț (Teleleu & HotNews) / Category: Social (Migration)
A blacksmith in Corcova, a painter in Brussels – Part I
A Romanian doctor is innovating at one of France’s most prestigious cancer centers
“Society is now undergoing a transformation into packs”
- Series on Asian Workers in Romania – Iulia Hau (Snoop & HotNews) / Category: Social (Topic: Economic Migration in Romania)
Local networks are defrauding Asian workers in Romania and leaving them in an undocumented status
“I didn’t beat him, we just had a heated discussion.” What happened to a Sri Lankan working in Romania so he wouldn’t lose his rice and banana fields back home
How Sri Lankan DJs came to travel constantly between Italy and Romania for their community’s underground parties
- Series: In the Fight Against Addiction, We Are Alone – Ioan Stoleru, illustrations by Maks Graur (Scena9) / Category: Health
“You can live very well with this disease, but it is incurable”
A young man lost everything gambling. Including his life
“Lying had become a way of life.” The story of a former sports bettor
Innovation
- Ciucu face-to-face with 12 students. How the PNL candidate tried to win over young people in Bucharest – Adi Iacob, Ovidiu Popica, Laurențiu Ungureanu, Gabriel Bejan, Ștefania Gheorghe; cameramen: Iosif Popescu, Vlad Cojocaru, Raluca Mihai (HotNews)
– dialogue between mayoral candidate and students at technical universities, in an interactive theater format
- How important is a well-equipped lab for increasing scientific literacy? – Andreea Archip, Raluca Cristea, Radu Mihai (Școala9)
– Developing software in the Python programming language that extracts and structures data from the SEAP public procurement platform
- Abortion on TikTok – Denisa Sandu, Radu Mihai (Școala9)
– development of a program that downloaded and transcribed TikTok clips from anti-abortion movements in Romania, followed by lexical-semantic analysis using AI-NLP applications and an LLM model
- A Journey Through the Cosmos, Departing from Bârlad – Ionuț Sociu; photographer: Ioana Cîrlig; multimedia installations: Augmented Space Agency; editor: Andra Matzal (Scena9)
– an artistic and technological component designed around the reportage
- “What We Hide: Magazine – Exhibition – Conversations” – Scena9 & Rezidența9
– a multidisciplinary exhibition conceived as an extension of the print publication “Scena9,” accompanied by a program of events for the general public
Civic influencers
- The “15 Minutes on Foot” Project – Anca Dumitrache
The Representation of Roma in the Media, episodes: Haurențiu, Mircea Bravo, Loredana, Lolita, Dan Frînculescu – Bogdan Burdușel
- Criminalization of erotic deepfakes – clip 1, clip 2 – Ileana Ada-Maria
“It’s Called FEMICIDE” – Women’s Rights, Feminism, Violence Against Women – Mălina Irimia
- The Impact of Drunk Driving: The Democratization of Science and Civic Mobilization, from Convincing the Majority of Judges to Winning Over the Majority of Lawmakers – Vlad Zaha
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About Superscrieri, the Friends For Friends Foundation (FFFF.RO) program: Superscrieri is the tribute that we have been paying since 2011 to authors who, through the power of their writing, through originality, honesty and courage, still tell us the stories that matter. To authors who believe in the power of the well-chosen word, show us how things really are, free us from prejudices and stereotypes, move us, enrich us, protect us from fake news. To them we dedicate, with gratitude, the Superscrieri awards, scholarships and seminars.
