Call for applications: Free Media Awards 2022

March 8 2022

In collaboration with the ZEIT Foundation of Hamburg, the Fritt Ord Foundation has allocated the Free Media Awards annually since 2004 to Eastern European journalists and media that defy every obstacle to tirelessly ensure independent press coverage. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the subsequent wave of disinformation clearly demonstrate the need for independent reporting in the region. Journalists and media in Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Belarus and Armenia that promote freedom of the press through their investigative and independent reporting are eligible to be nominated for the Free Media Awards.

The Fritt Ord Foundation and the ZEIT-Stiftung hereby invite nominations of independent journalists, bloggers, Internet media and newspapers for the 2022 Free Media Awards.

Nominations will be accepted until 1 April 2022, and should include an explanation of why the journalist or media outlet is considered to be a good candidate for the Free Media Awards. Please note that nominations should include references to the quality of their work. The nomination statements should be 1 to 2 pages long, and include a short biography and links to articles, where relevant. To qualify for nomination, journalists and media outlets must have demonstrated a commitment to democracy and freedom of expression.

Please send nominations by e-mail to: freemediaawards@frittord.no
Do not hesitate to contact Fritt Ord if you have any questions about the nomination process.

The Fritt Ord Foundation and the ZEIT Foundation will be awarding 3 to 5 press prizes in 2022. The prize laureates are chosen on the basis of nominations, which are then reviewed by an independent jury. The jury for the Free Media Awards consists of Alice Bota, Moscow correspondent for the weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT, Ane Tusvik Bonde, senior advisor at the Human Rights House Foundation, Oslo, Juri Durkot, journalist and translator, Lviv, Ukraine, Guri Norstrøm, foreign correspondent for the Norwegian National Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), Oslo, Martin Paulsen, head of department, Faculty of Languages, University of Bergen, and Silvia Stöber, freelance journalist specialising in developments in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia for the German ARD and other media.

Read more about the awards, the nomination process and the former recipients here: Free Media Awards – Fritt Ord

News

See all

The Fritt Ord Foundation Prize for 2025 goes to satirical artists May Linn Clement, Marvin Halleraker and Morten Mørland

April 29 2025

The Fritt Ord Foundation Prize for 2025 is awarded to three representatives of Norwegian satirical art for challenging public opinion by standing up to power and for their biting humour: May Linn Clement, Marvin Halleraker and Morten Mørland.

In times of darkness, satire assumes a more important role

May 20 2025

“In times of darkness, when more is at stake, satire has a more important role to play,” said Marvin Halleraker as he accepted the Fritt Ord Prize for 2025, together with May Linn Clemet and Morten Mørland.

Fritt Ord's grants for master’s degrees

May 11 2025

Is your master’s project about freedom of expression, social debate or journalism? If so, you can apply for a student grant from the Fritt Ord Foundation.

Call for nominations: Free Media Awards 2025

March 14 2025

In collaboration with the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS of Hamburg, the Fritt Ord Foundation has allocated the Free Media Awards annually since 2004 to Eastern European journalists and media that defy every obstacle to tirelessly ensure independent press coverage. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the subsequent wave of disinformation clearly demonstrates the need for independent reporting in the region. Journalist, editorial teams and media companies in and from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and Hungary who make a contribution to press freedom through their investigative, independent reporting can be nominated for the Free Media Awards.