European Press Prize

Some photographs capture a moment. Others leave us with questions that take decades to answer. In her award-winning piece, Barbara Matejcic traces the story behind a photograph taken during the war, uncovering what happened before, during and after the moment captured on camera. Congratulations again to Barbara Matejčić, our European Press Prize 2026 Special Award Winner. Read her brilliant work: https://lnkd.in/esxGVsye

Big changes ahead! We’re introducing important updates to the 2027 Prize, including a new entry timeline and clearer geographical eligibility rules. While some rules are changing, our definition of Europe stays the same: it continues to include all Council of Europe member states, as well as Russia and Belarus. Entries open 1 November 2026 ⏰ Swipe to see what’s changing. More updates coming soon!

What happens when AI enters healthcare? Hear from the team behind Civio’s award-winning investigation as they explain how they uncovered the human consequences of an algorithm that fails to see everyone equally. Congratulations again to Ángela Bernardo Álvarez, PhD, María Álvarez del Vayo González, Carmen Torrecillas Molina and Adrián Maqueda González, our European Press Prize 2026 Innovation Award Winners. Read their investigation: https://lnkd.in/eNgMMAcU

🎤 At the European Press Prize 2026 in Lisbon, Veronika Munk reflected on what it means to practise quality journalism in a rapidly changing media landscape. Drawing on her experience as a journalist and editor in Hungary and Slovakia, she spoke about resilience, trust, independent reporting and the responsibility to document reality. Read the full keynote speech from the European Press Prize 2026: https://lnkd.in/ebAADsnY

Lydia Emmanouilidou, Stavros Malichudis, Ludek Stavinoha and their team won our Migration Journalism Award 2026 for a powerful investigation into the dire conditions faced by unaccompanied children in Greece’s refugee camps. Published by Solomon, Republik and WAV Recherchekollektiv, the project exposed systemic neglect through FOI documents, on-the-ground evidence and testimonies. Discover their work here: https://lnkd.in/eM9YtzmN

High quality journalism often doesn’t end when a story is published. Sometimes, that’s when its real impact begins. Earlier this year, Barbara Matejcic received the 2026 European Press Prize Special Award for her piece Killing for a Photo. Through years of reporting, she uncovered new evidence surrounding one of the most iconic photographs from the wars in the former Yugoslavia, raising profound ethical questions about how the image was created, captioned, and ultimately celebrated: https://lnkd.in/esxGVsye Recently, her work drove real accountability. Following the publication of the investigation, six journalists’ associations from across the former Yugoslavia, supported by the European Federation of Journalists, launched a campaign calling on World Press Photo to revoke the award granted to the photograph in 1993. The investigation has also prompted renewed public debate about journalistic ethics, historical responsibility, and justice for the victim’s family: https://lnkd.in/exHHbG7X Outstanding journalism continues to shape public conversations and inspire action long after publication. To our dear Laureates: if your reporting has led to a change, influenced policy, or inspired public action, we would love to hear about it. The impact of independent, quality journalism deserves to be seen and celebrated.

maud effting and Willem Feenstra won our Distinguished Reporting Award 2026 for a powerful investigation into the deliberate killing of children in Gaza. Read their deeply moving work: https://lnkd.in/eZxVuYVG

Our 2026 Year Report is out! It reflects on a season shaped by change, growth, and a shared commitment to quality journalism. Inside you’ll find highlights from the past year, key statistics, our 2026–2030 strategic framework, financial updates, and a look back at this season’s Winners, Runners-Up, and Nominees. Read our full report here: https://lnkd.in/ddeW88T6 A sincere thank you to everyone who made this season possible — our Nominees, Winners, Jury members, Partners, supporters, and the wider Prize Community. Here’s to another year of celebrating outstanding journalism 💫

🤔 What does it take to select Europe's best journalism? Our newly published 2026 Jury Report offers a behind-the-scenes look at the European Press Prize selection process, from hundreds of submissions to this year's Winners and Runners-Up. The report also shares the Jury's reflections on every shortlisted project, highlighting the outstanding reporting, investigation and storytelling that shaped this year's Awards. 📖 Read the 2026 Jury Report: https://lnkd.in/eGVBfSP8

📽️ We still cannot get over Lisbon! A few weeks may have passed, but we are still thinking about the conversations, the inspiring journalism, the reunions, and the warm moments we shared at the European Press Prize 2026. Thank you to everyone who made it so special. Until we meet again, enjoy a look back at an incredible day!