Nominations open for Free Press Awards 2024

Deadline Date: August 12, 2024

Donor Name: Free Press Unlimited

Grant Size: Not Available

The Free Press Unlimited is seeking nominations for the Free Press Awards to recognise journalists and media professionals who have a strong commitment with press freedom and independent information.

Free Press Unlimited wants to honor journalists who risk everything to bring them the news, media pioneers who pave the way for equality and justice and those who persevere under the most difficult circumstances. The Free Press Awards will recognise exceptional work in the categories Newcomer of the Year and Most Resilient Journalist.

Award Categories

• The Free Press Awards will recognise exceptional work in the categories:
  • Newcomer of the Year – Hans Verploeg Award
    • The category Newcomer of the Year in Journalism recognises talented new journalists who have shown strong performance in terms of reporting the news. 
    • The nominees all demonstrate exceptional commitment to press freedom and independent coverage and use innovative methods to disseminate this information.
    • Nominees in the category Newcomer of the Year show extraordinary dedication to journalism as a means to hold those in power accountable and to serve as a watchdog in the public interest, right from the start of their career. They manage to share stories that would otherwise be left untold.
  • Most Resilient Journalist Award
    • The Free Press Award in the category Most Resilient Journalist is presented to a journalist who has demonstrated extraordinary strength of character, courage and perseverance in reporting the news.
    • Nominees of the Most Resilient Journalist have often faced imprisonment, violence and censorship for doing their job. They have shown a strong commitment to press freedom and independent information, and are generally highly-regarded journalists who are willing to risk their life or their freedom in order to keep the public informed.
    • They produce their work in the face of government oppression, political pressure, intimidation, physical violence and other obstacles.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nominations for the awards will be judged by an independent panel of international experts. Please note the following when nominating:
  • Newcomer of the Year Award
    • You cannot nominate yourself
    • When you nominate someone, make sure this person is aware and gives permission
    • Make sure you have sufficient examples of work to upload with the nomination, preferably a minimum of three pieces
    • To be eligible for the category of Newcomer of the Year, the nominee should be active as a journalist for a maximum of three years.
    • The winner in the category ‘Newcomer of the Year’ will receive a media scholarship by choice. 
  • Most Resilient Journalist Award
    • You cannot nominate yourself
    • When you nominate someone, make sure this person is aware and gives permission
    • Make sure you have sufficient examples of work to upload with the nomination
    • The winner in the category ‘Most Resilient Journalist’ will receive a cash prize.

For more information, visit Free Press Unlimited.