Snezana Lupevska Sozen

Known for her integrity, bravery and perseverance in the pursuit of truth, Snezana Lupevska Sozen has emerged on the journalism scene as one of the most credible and scrupulous journalists. With over 20 years of experience, she has received numerous awards for her work, particularly in the field of investigative journalism, delving into crime and corruption with the aim of exposing it and urging institutions to take action.

Snezana Lupevska Sozen graduated from the Interdisciplinary Studies in Journalism program at the Faculty of Law in Skopje in 1996. Her journalism career started in 1994 at A1 Television, covering internal politics, crime, and corruption. By 1997, she became the news editor there. In 2007, she produced and created the "Code" show, airing on A1 Television. In 2009, she transitioned to Channel 5 television and founded Trinity Plus, her production company, which produced various projects alongside "Code," including "Agents of Change," a series profiling PR and management leaders globally, "Good Idea," showcasing innovative businesses in Macedonia, "Kaldrma," addressing child centralization in Macedonia, "Zapoznaj me," featuring marginalized groups, and "Ednakvi," highlighting the rights of the LGBT community in Macedonia, all broadcasted on local and national TV networks. Since 2015, "Code" has aired on TV Telma, where Lupevska has been the editor-in-chief since 2015, holding the position until 2020 and resuming it again in 2021.

Currently holding the roles of Editor and Manager at TV Telma, Lupevska Sozen identifies herself primarily as an investigative journalist, emphasizing her commitment to uncovering truths. In addition to her editorial duties, she also fulfills the roles of producer and investigative journalist for the show "Code".

Ms. Lupevska Sozen has garnered numerous awards, both domestically and internationally, some of which are: an Award from the American Embassy for Outstanding Achievements and Promotion of Democracy in Macedonia (2004), an Award from the Association of Journalists of Macedonia "Jashar Erbara" for Investigative Journalism (2012), Best Investigative Story Award "Nikola Mladenov" (2017), Investigative Story Award from the Journalists Association (2018), and the Best Investigative Series Award "CODE" from "Story" (2019) and others.

Lupevska Sozen participated in the VOA-supported Journalism Alumni Program of the State Department at the University of New Mexico for nine months during 2004 and 2005, and she has been a distinguished alumna of MAAA since. Reflecting on her time in the USA as an alumna, she describes the experience as pivotal for her career, enabling her to become an investigative journalist and launch the show "Code" in 2007.

She underscores her dedication to imparting her knowledge and professional expertise to younger individuals and aspiring journalists who join the editorial team at TV Telma. Furthermore, she actively participates in lecturing students through university collaborations. "Success in journalism," advises Ms. Lupevska Sozen, "can only be achieved through dedication and perseverance.” Her message to younger colleagues is to always strive to delve deeper into their research than their peers and uncover what lies beneath the surface.