Daphne Prize for Journalism 

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism was established by the European Parliament to recognise and support outstanding journalism that promotes and defends the fundamental values of the European Union. These principles include human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights.

The prize was launched in 2020 as a tribute to Maltese investigative journalist and anti-corruption blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was murdered on 16 October 2017.

The Prize is open to professional journalists and teams of journalists of any nationality. Entries must be published or broadcast by a media outlet based in one of the 27 EU Member States. Submissions can include written articles, visual reports or audio content, provided they demonstrate a strong commitment to journalistic ethics, public interest, and the defence of democratic values.

• A Europe-wide independent jury selects the winning entry each year. The jury is composed of representatives of the press and civil society from across the European Union, as well as members of leading associations of journalists.
• The selected work is awarded a €20,000 prize, in recognition of its contribution to press freedom, public accountability and the protection of democratic standards.
• The award ceremony takes place in the European Parliament in Strasbourg around mid-ctober, as a symbolic reminder of the date when Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated.
• The Prize reflects the Parliament’s broader efforts to protect the media and the safety of journalists. In recent years, the European Parliament has advocated for stronger safeguards media professionals through the adoption of the European Media Freedom Act and the Anti-SLAPP directive, which aim to reinforce editorial independence and protect against abusive litigation.

By rewarding high quality independent journalism, the Prize helps strengthen media freedom and reinforces the vital role of the press in upholding democratic life in Europe. It honours Daphne Caruana Galizia’s legacy, and all journalists who seek the truth in the public interest.