Four Freedoms Award Ceremony in Middelburg Honors Global Defenders of Human Rights and Press Freedom
April 19, 2026
African Union Opens Journalist Registration for 8th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Egypt
May 7, 2026
The European Parliament has officially launched the 2026 edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism, opening submissions for investigative and impactful reporting that upholds the values of press freedom, democracy, and human rights across the European Union. The announcement marks the start of the annual selection process for one of the EU’s key journalism awards.
The prize is named in memory of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed in 2017, and is intended to honor journalists whose work reflects her commitment to exposing corruption and holding power to account. It is awarded annually by the European Parliament and includes a monetary prize of €20,000 for the winning entry.
Submissions are open to professional journalists and teams from EU member states, with eligible entries required to demonstrate high-quality investigative journalism published or broadcast within the relevant timeframe. The award aims to highlight reporting that promotes EU fundamental values such as human dignity, freedom, equality, the rule of law, and human rights.
An independent jury composed of media professionals from across Europe will review submissions and select the winner. The selection process emphasizes editorial independence and journalistic integrity, ensuring that the award reflects the highest professional standards in reporting.
The prize ceremony is traditionally held at the European Parliament around 16 October each year, the anniversary of Caruana Galizia’s assassination, serving both as a commemoration and a reaffirmation of the EU’s commitment to protecting journalists.
Beyond recognition, the initiative is part of a broader effort by the European Parliament to support press freedom in Europe, particularly at a time when journalists face increasing threats, including legal pressure, harassment, and violence in some member states and neighboring regions.
By opening the 2026 call for entries, the European Parliament continues to position the award as a platform for elevating investigative journalism and reinforcing the importance of independent media in safeguarding democratic accountability.
Reference –