Maja Medaković is one of the most prominent journalists of the investigative show Checked on Nova TV. She worked in that series since 2009, and with her socially sensitive reports, they inspired concrete actions – viewers donated money and help after her stories, and many families got a new roof over their heads. According to Nova TV data, in the past ten years, thanks to its contributions six families It got a new home. In the media, she especially stands out as a reporter who, through her stories, changes attitudes and encourages social change: she was also nominated for a prestigious award Vječernjak’s rose for the TV personality of the year, and her work encouraged changes to the Law on Social Affairs.
Early life and education
Maja Medaković was born in the mid-1980s in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina). As a seven-year-old child, in 1992 she left the war-torn Mostar together with her parents, and the family settled in the town near Makarska (the birthplace of her mother). The family home in Mostar was burned in war events, so Maja did not return to live in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She finished primary and secondary school in Ploče, after which she moved to Zagreb. There she enrolled in journalism studies at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Zagreb – majoring in television and PR.
At university, her mentor Tena Perišin suggested that she apply for a job as a journalist in the show Checked. After a trial work in the editorial office, already at the end of her studies, Maja got a permanent engagement – thus in 2009 she became a verified reporter. There, she continued to explore topics that reflect her life values – socially disadvantaged individuals, sick and infirm and local communities in need.
Journalism career and social influence
In her career, Maja Medaković profiled herself as a journalist who directly follows people from the sidelines – she often reported on small people-heroes in the fight for justice and help. As Nova TV notes, he likes stories about “people, small and big fighters” and about social and health topics. Her reports often result in concrete help. For example, in 2015, she recorded a series of articles about single father Matija Basarac and his son Milan from the village of Komarevo – the story of their dilapidated house without electricity and water woke up the whole of Croatia, and the viewers were encouraged by the show, collected enough donations for the renovation of their house.
United Media (Nova TV owner) points out that her socially sensitive contributions encouraged dozens of citizens to engage in humanitarian work – thanks to her research, six people got a new roof over their heads. Moreover, her work “forced” the system to change several “bad” laws: examples include changes to the rules on the status of caregivers, reduction of VAT on food donations, and legalization of medical cannabis. That is Checked Under her leadership, it became an “alarm clock” that warns the public about problems, but also motivates viewers to help.
Prizes and awards
For her contribution to journalism, Maja Medaković received a number of important awards and recognitions:
- 2015 and 2020 – prize pragma (an association that promotes the values of education) for journalistic contribution.
- 2016 – prize Marija Jurić Zagorka (HND) for television journalism.
- 2019 and 2022 – prize Lighthouse (Croatian Anti-Poverty Network) for worthy reporting on poverty.
- 2023 – Fra Ma Fu Festival Award (Category “Our Beautiful”) and HND Award Siniša Glavašević for local journalism.
- 2020 – Nomination for Vječernjak’s rose (most read sheet, reader award) for television personality of the year; and her 10 years of verified work were included in the nominations for the television show of the year.
Members of the journalists’ jury and colleagues praised her precisely for the influence of her stories on society – they point out that with her reports she is literally changing people’s lives for the better. the owner of the show Checked Ivana Paradžiković said that it was Maja and similar reporters that the show is grateful to that her reports “reveal what many would prefer to keep quiet about”. With this, Maja also confirms the evaluations of her colleagues – her professionalism and empathy have been recognized on several levels, which led to an impressive series of medals and awards.
Private life and motivation
Maja Medaković successfully balances a demanding career and family life. She is married to cameraman Davor Vuković (with whom she collaborates in Provjeren), and they have a daughter Gita (born in 2018). In the interviews, she emphasizes that her family gives her strength: her husband and she jointly promote respect for diversity and openness to communication in the upbringing of Gita. In her free time, the family likes to stay in nature – they often cycle together around the neighborhood – and Maja teaches her daughter that it is important to always express her opinion and that she can rely on her parents on every occasion.
Personally, Maja occasionally mentions that the experience of refugees and living in a war-torn environment made her extremely empathetic. Although she grew up in Dalmatia (during the Gymnasium in Ploče), she considers Gradac near Makarska her real home, because they found themselves there together with their family and built a future. With this in mind, she often points out that she cares about ordinary people and their destinies – which is why she seeks in her job as a journalist Small and big victories that change people’s lives. As she says, success means not only big trophies, but also every small positive change it challenges. It seems that she found her life philosophy and “happy place” – both in her career and at home – and that she continues to work with dedication on inspirational stories.
Conclusion
Maja Medaković’s career is an example of how television journalism can have the real power of society change. through the show Checked With her contributions, she made citizens aware of the problems and encouraged them to help, and with her work she became a role model for other journalists. We hope that this article has revealed important aspects of her biography and contribution to the media. For more such stories and topics about people who change the world, follow our portal again and share this text!
