The European Union launches the 20th edition of the 'Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press'
The award, which has been granted by the European Union since 2006, honours the Lebanese journalist and writer Samir Kassir, who was assassinated in 2005. The competition for the award has attracted since its creation more than 3,600 candidates from the Middle East, the Gulf and North Africa and 55 journalists have won the award so far.
'Twenty years later, the Samir Kassir Award remains as relevant as ever. For freedom of the press is not merely a principle. It is a fundamental right in any democracy. Without a free press, the next 20 years could see even more violence, oppression and misinformation, not only in the region, but also in Europe and other corners of the world,' said the Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon Sandra De Waele.
Acting President of the Samir Kassir Foundation, Malek Mrowa, added: 'The 20 th edition of the Samir Kassir Award seeks to recognize and celebrate the bravery of journalists whose words and stories defy all weapons and continue to shine a light in the darkest corners. It will be granted amid pains that reached their peak during the past year, and new hopes drawn by radical, developing changes.'
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 2025. Three awards will be granted for the best:
- Opinion Article
- Investigative Article
- Audiovisual News Report
The contributions must be centred 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 2025 in Beirut, one day after the 20 th anniversary of Samir Kassir's assassination.
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