Ilze Jaunalksne

Ms. Ilze Jaunalksne is a journalist and anchor of Latvia’s top current affairs TV program, DeFacto. She is a trailblazer in the fight against political corruption in Latvia. In March 2006, Ms. Jaunalksne broke the story of a vote buying scandal involving prominent national political leaders from several parties. By shining the light on the investigation through news reports, the case could not be compromised by political pressure. Her report led to the indictment of several high-ranking political figures, and forced the resignation of a minister. In the face of harassment by public figures attempting to discredit her, and by extension her work, Ms. Jaunalksne took the government to court and sued for defamation of character. Her case was the first of its kind in Latvia. The judge ruled in her favor, and the State was ordered to pay her damages, another landmark achievement. In the face of great opposition and threats to her own life, Ms. Jaunalkse is helping to bring about reform for this democratic nation.