EU launches 21st edition of Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of Press
The European Union and Samir Kassir Foundation launched Wednesday the 21st edition of the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press.
The award, which has been granted by the European Union since 2006, honors the Lebanese journalist and writer Samir Kassir, who was assassinated in 2005. The competition for the award has attracted since its creation more than 3,900 candidates from the Middle East, the Gulf and North Africa and 57 journalists have won the award so far.
Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, stressed: "In this challenging context, one truth remains clear: press freedom is not optional." She added: "The European Union remains firmly committed to promoting and defending press freedom. This commitment lies at the heart of the Samir Kassir Award, which for over two decades has supported and recognized journalists who, despite the risks they face, continue to investigate, to question and to speak the truth."
Malek Mrowa, President of the Samir Kassir Foundation, added: "Journalism requires courage everywhere in the world. In Lebanon and across the region, however, that courage is needed even more, given the risks and challenges journalists face. This Award sends a message to all of them that the Samir Kassir Foundation, with the support of the EU, stands by them and recognizes their work and commitment."
The Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press is open to professional journalists from North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf. The deadline for sending in contributions is 1 April 2026. Three awards will be granted for the best:
- Opinion Article
- Investigative Article
- Audiovisual News Report
The contributions must be centered on one or more of the following topics: rule of law, human rights, good governance, fight against corruption, freedom of expression, democratic development, and citizen participation. The winner of each of the three categories will receive a prize of €10,000.
The jury will be composed of seven voting members from Arab and European media and one observer representing the European Union. The names of the winners will be communicated during the prize-awarding ceremony, which will take place on 3 June 2026 in Beirut, one day after the 21st anniversary of Samir Kassir’s assassination.
The contest regulations, application forms, rules, and conditions are available on the Award’s website: www.samirkassiraward.org
Registration closes on April 1, 2026.
Source: Naharnet
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