↗

The Emerging Journalists of the Year award, which Kotecký received, went to three journalists in the early stages of their careers — people with no more than five years of professional experience — whose climate journalism shows exceptional promise. Kotecký shares the honour with Zimbabwean journalist Thabisani Dube and US journalist Katie Myers. Photo Covering Climate Now

On 17 September, Deník Referendum investigative reporter Daniel Kotecký received a prestigious Covering Climate Now award in the Emerging Journalists of the Year category. The awards recognise the best climate journalism from around the world. The award was presented by Covering Climate Now, an international journalism organisation that each year honours the best reporting on climate.

Kotecký won the award for his investigative work, focused above all on EPH, the fossil fuel corporation controlled by Czech oligarch Daniel Křetínský, and on the Czech state’s handling of green subsidies. He was recognised for investigations in which he exposed EPH's manipulative climate accounting, and for reporting that documented how a third of the public money from EU funds earmarked for greening the Czech economy is going to just three energy corporations for projects that will continue to harm the climate.

The judges praised his “strong research and persistent reporting”. They also highlighted how Deník Referendum's work shows consistent care in presenting a complex subject clearly. They also praised the consistent clarity of his work, saying that his clear explainers, backed by a wealth of skilfully used data, shed light on complex corporate machinations and help readers understand the networks and players that shape climate debate and policy in Central Europe.

Exceptionally promising journalism

Covering Climate Now, an international journalism organisation, supports, connects and trains journalists and newsrooms with the aim of fostering well-informed, accessible climate reporting. This year marks the sixth edition of the Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards, which are regarded within the profession as a globally recognised benchmark of excellence in reporting on the climate crisis.

In 2026, the judges considered over 1,200 submissions from journalists across dozens of countries. In total, they honoured 49 journalists, stories and organisations in 17 categories. Fellow winners include some of the most renowned institutions in world journalism, such as the BBC World Service and the Associated Press, as well as leading specialist climate outlets such as Carbon Brief.

The Emerging Journalists of the Year award, which Kotecký received, went to three journalists in the early stages of their careers — people with no more than five years of professional experience — whose climate journalism shows exceptional promise. Kotecký shares the honour with Zimbabwean journalist Thabisani Dube and US journalist Katie Myers.

The nine-member jury that honoured Kotecký's work was made up of prominent journalists and academics. Among them were award-winning American climate journalist Amy Westervelt, founder of the investigative outlet Drilled, and Colombian television presenter Vanessa Hauc, an Emmy Award winner.

“Lifting up excellence in climate reporting is particularly important this year, as some newsrooms around the world have retreated from climate coverage even as the effects of a warming planet become more urgent,” said Kyle Pope, co-founder of Covering Climate Now and former editor of the Columbia Journalism Review, one of the most respected publications on journalism. “This work offers a blueprint for re-engaging with the climate story,” Pope added.

Two international awards in one week

Deník Referendum’s work received a second international award the same day: the European IJ4EU Impact Award went to three investigations, including the Forever Lobbying Project, in which Deník Referendum took part as the Czech member of a consortium of news organisations coordinated by the French daily Le Monde.

The project is the result of investigative work by 46 journalists from 29 media outlets in 16 European countries, together with 18 academic experts. The international investigation, in which Deník Referendum reporter and deputy editor-in-chief Zuzana Vlasatá took part, exposed the underhand practices European chemical corporations have used in their efforts to block regulation of PFAS, the toxic ‘forever chemicals’. The jury particularly praised the project for going beyond mapping contamination to examine the financial and political interests that obstruct effective regulation and put private profit ahead of public health.

“At Deník Referendum, we have long sought to work to the highest international standards. Everyone in our newsroom is encouraged to measure their work against the world's best and to strive to match that quality. I see both awards as proof that we are on the right track. At the same time, I must highlight the truly exceptional journalistic quality of the award-winning work by both of my colleagues,” said Deník Referendum's editor-in-chief Jakub Patočka, commenting on the paper receiving two international awards in a single week.

“There is one more thing worth noting. In my view, it is no coincidence that both awards recognise projects exposing how concentrated financial power — whether that of the Czech fossil fuel oligarchy or of European chemical corporations — ruthlessly and systematically harms the public interest in protecting the climate and public health for the sake of its own profits. Exposing the dark workings of outsized financial power may well be journalism's most important mission today. I think our colleagues abroad recognise this — and value it — more than has so far been the case here in the Czech Republic,” Patočka added.