In another year marked by uncertainty for independent media, the 2025 European Press Prize Winners offer a powerful reminder of journalism’s vital role. From over 800 entries across 44 countries, six outstanding projects were awarded in categories ranging from investigative reporting to migration and innovation. The awards were announced at the annual ceremony, held for the first time in Bari, Italy, on May 28.
As Alan Rusbridger, Chair of the Prize’s Judges Panel, put it:
“Such bravery, imagination, flair, and integrity… The European Press Prize is the best antidote to gloom.”
This year’s winners shed light on underreported and urgent issues across the continent:
- Distinguished Reporting Award: Jessica Bateman’s investigation into Greece’s post-civil war black-market adoptions. “Did Something Happen to Mom When She Was Young?” was published by POLITICO Magazine (United States).
- Innovation Award: Katharina Brunner, Rebecca Ciesielski, Ingo Dachwitz, Sebastian Meineck, and Maximilian Zierer exposed how location data jeopardizes national security. “Under Surveillance. How Location Data Jeopardizes German Security” was published by Bayerischer Rundfunk/BR24, netzpolitik.org, and tagesschau/ARD (Germany).
- Investigative Reporting Award: Măriuța Nistor and Natalia Zaharescu infiltrated Kremlin-linked networks meddling in local elections. “Serving Moscow” was published by Ziarul de Gardă (Moldova).
- Public Discourse Award: Katarzyna Boni explored motherhood in the age of climate crisis. “Mothers at the End of the World” was published by Książki (Poland).
- Migration Journalism Award: Gabriela Galvin reported on Denmark’s forced assimilation policies targeting immigrant families. “Growing Up ‘Non-Western’ in Denmark’s Nanny State” was published by New Lines Magazine (International).
- Special Award: Annie Hylton, Bastian Obermayer, Corentin Bainier, Daniel Vallot, David Pegg, Edoardo Anziano, Edouard Perrin, Eloise Layan, Ershad Alijani, François Ruchti, Frederik Obermaier, Gabriele Nunziati, Hannes Muzinger, Ilya Lozovsky, James Doswett, Joël Matriche, Karina Chabour, Kelly Bloss, Kristof Clerix, Laurent Richard, Léa Peruchon, Leone Spallino, Leyla Mustafayeva, Louis Colart, Lorenzo Bagnoli, Lucas Brouwers, Maria Retter, Mariana Abreu, Miranda Patrucic, Olivier Zihlmann, Paciane Rouchon, Paul Lewis, Philippe Jacqué, Pierre Sorlut, Rachel Olroyd, Robert Denis, Roméo Langlois, Sandrine Rigaud, Sebastian Seibt, Sophia Stahl, Sofía Álvarez Jurado, Virginie Pironon, Wilmer Heck, Wubby Luyendijk, and Youssr Youssef continued anti-corruption investigations in Azerbaijan after the jailing of Abzas journalists. “The Baku Connection Project” was published by Abzas Media (Azerbaijan), Der Standard (Austria), d’Lëtzebuerger Land (Luxemburg), Forbidden Stories (France), France 24 (France), IRPI (Italy), Knack (Belgium), Le Monde (France), Le Soir (Belgium), NRC (The Netherlands), OCCRP (International), Paper Trail Media (Germany), Radio France (France), RFI (France), RTS (Switzerland), Tamedia (Switzerland), The Guardian (UK), and ZDF (Germany).
Each story stood out for its impact, innovation, and resilience, offering a glimpse of journalism’s potential even in trying times.
The full list of Winners and Runners-Up is available on the European Press Prize website.
About the European Press Prize
The European Press Prize celebrates the highest achievements in European journalism. It is made possible by a number of foundations and organisations that strive to encourage independent quality journalism in Europe: Democracy and Media Foundation, iMEdD – Incubator for Media Education and Development, Jyllands-Posten Foundation, Media Development Investment Fund, Politiken Foundation, the Scott Trust, The Irish Times Trust Limited, and Vereniging Veronica. Additionally, support for the European Press Prize’s Migration Journalism Award comes from the Robert Bosch Stiftung.
The European Press Prize is awarded on a yearly basis in 5 categories: Distinguished Reporting, Innovation, Investigative Reporting, Public Discourse, and Migration Journalism. The Panel of Judges also awards a Special Award to journalism that defies categories and disciplines. Each award is worth €10,000.
iMEdD is a partner of the European Press Prize.
