Profile of Photo Contest Winner- Aleksandar's Journalism Journey

After winning 1st place in IREX’s first photo contest on Facebook, Aleksandar Stojkovic and his HD flip cam are attached at the hip. “(The flip cam) I got from IREX is always with me. Few days ago I was an eyewitness of some arrest which I recorded with my new cam and that record was presented on our TV,” said Aleksandar.  

As a young boy growing up in Vranje, Serbia, Aleksandar always knew he wanted to work in the media industry. After an unsuccessful attempt at joining a movie academy in 2001, he decided to devote his career to radio and TV journalism, and since then has not looked back.  He currently is the presenter and editor for various programs at TV Station 017, a local independent broadcaster in Vranje that IREX is supporting through the Serbia Media Assistance Program, funded by USAID, to strengthen the capacity and legal environment through training, technical assistance, and small grants.  Aleksandar credits IREX for connecting him with some of the best trainings and seminars, particularly about “trends in journalism, (for) both news reporting and online media.”      

Upon hearing about IREX’s photo contest on Facebook, Aleksandar immediately knew he had a great photo in his hands, which he describes as not only funny but also depicts the conditions of local and independent media everywhere.   He calls it, “our everyday reality but never seen by viewers from the other side.” Clearly, IREX’s fans on Facebook responded enthusiastically by voting and giving him a wide lead ahead of the other finalists.

Aleksandar would like to one day work for a big media outlet such as Serbia’s TV B-92. He hopes the quality of his work will distinguish him from other reporters. Along the way, he will continue to highlight his personal achievements using new media and encourages other IREX alumni to do the same as a way of sharing resources and learning from one another.