Rappler journalist Lian wins second place at the Elizabeth Neuffer Scholarship, with investigative results recognized internationally

Filipino veteran investigative journalist Lian Buan has been selected as the runner-up for the 2026 Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) in recognition of her outstanding contributions to human rights reporting over the years. This honor further highlights the influence of Lian and her organization, Rappler, in the field of in-depth investigative journalism.

Focus on Lian, the Award-Winning Investigator

During her tenure as a senior investigative reporter at Rappler, Lian has exposed illegal activities within Philippine prisons, illicit fund flows in scam centers, violence against activists and indigenous leaders, and corruption involving government contracts linked to the country’s wealthy elite. Her in-depth investigation into the so-called “death squads” during former President Duterte’s drug war has garnered widespread international attention.

All these investigations point to a common theme—how journalists uphold their duty to seek the truth in environments where power is imbalanced.

Significance of the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship

The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship, awarded annually by the International Women’s Media Foundation, recognizes outstanding female journalists in the fields of human rights and social justice reporting. Recipients are offered a six-month fellowship at the MIT Center for International Studies in the United States.

The official winner for 2026 is exiled Russian journalist Lilia Yapparova, recognized for her courageous coverage of the Ukraine war. As the runner-up, Lian was also highly praised by international organizations for her investigative work in the Philippines.

Lian’s Response to the Honor

Following the announcement, Lian stated that this honor belongs to her fellow Filipino journalists working alongside her. She pointed out that in today’s era, excellent journalism can be drowned out in the ocean of information at best, or face defamation and suppression at worst. This perspective reflects the harsh realities faced by many journalists committed to journalistic ideals.

Lian’s award once again proves the vital role of in-depth investigative journalists in exposing social issues and promoting public discussion.