A groundbreaking investigative report produced by KirkukNow has earned third place of the Qarib Journalism Awards 2025–2026 for outstanding journalism on climate change and environmental issues.
The winners were announced in July 2026 during a ceremony in Amman, Jordan, following competition among more than 200 journalistic entries from countries including Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon. The Qarib Award, which promotes impactful investigative journalism across the region, is supported by the French Media Development Agency (CFI).
The award-winning investigation, titled “Banned, Smuggled, and Expired Pesticides: Farmers Falling Victim to Greed and Corruption Amid Weak Oversight,” was produced over the course of nearly a year by journalists Rita Emmanuel, Nagham Makki, and Nur Mahdi as part of a project supervised by Media in Cooperation and Transition MICT in partnership with KirkukNow.
The investigation exposes the widespread circulation of banned, smuggled, and expired agricultural pesticides while highlighting the severe consequences for farmers—particularly women farmers. It also reveals how corruption and inadequate government oversight have allowed these harmful products to remain in the market.
Accepting the award on behalf of her colleagues, Rita Emmanuel said the team recognized that their investigation met all the competition's requirements and decided to submit it.
“We worked very hard on this project. Thank God, the outcome exceeded our expectations,” she said.
Emmanuel noted that the competition was highly competitive, with journalists from several countries participating. She explained that having their investigation selected from more than 200 submissions has strengthened their confidence and motivated the team to continue producing impactful investigative journalism.
The investigation uncovered alarming findings through surveys conducted in Nineveh, Duhok, and Basra. According to the results, 91.5% of respondents reported using imported pesticides, while 28.5% admitted using restricted or banned pesticides, highlighting serious concerns about regulation and enforcement.
Reflecting on the experience, Emmanuel described the project as professionally rewarding. She emphasized that “the team received extensive support throughout the production process, including assistance with fact-checking, editing, translation, design, photography, and overall documentary production.”
She also encouraged aspiring journalists to remain determined despite challenges.
“Believe in yourself and your abilities. Don't be discouraged by obstacles. You may not succeed on your first attempt, but with persistence, dedication, and continuous learning, you will achieve your goals. Every step you take today brings you closer to tomorrow's success.”
KirkukNow has previously received numerous national and international awards for its investigative reporting on women's issues, human rights, environmental topics, and innovative journalism.
