Call for nominations: Free Media Awards 2024

March 11 2024

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. Journalists and media in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine Ukraine and Hungary 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 BUCERIUS hereby invite nominations of independent journalists, Internet media and newspapers for the 2024 Free Media Awards.

Nominations will be accepted until Friday 10 May 2024, 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
If you prefer to send the nomination by Signal, please send an e-mail to freemediaawards@frittord.no for further instructions.
Do not hesitate to contact Fritt Ord if you have any questions about the nomination process.

The Fritt Ord Foundation and the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS will be awarding 5 press prizes in 2024.

Honorees in 2023 included the journalists Sevgil Musaieva and Yuriy Nikolov (Ukraine) and to the editorial staffs of OC Media (based in Georgia), Reform.by (Belarus) and Vazhnye Istorii (Russia). Special mention was made of those journalists, photographers and media professionals who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The prize laureates are chosen on the basis of nominations, which are then reviewed by an independent jury.

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

News

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Across the world, cultural institutions are under increasing pressure. Censorship, self-censorship, drastic funding cuts, and political and sponsorship interference are on the rise. Former and present institutional directors – with personal experiences of political pressure, cancellation and censorship from different geographic contexts – will discuss the limitations and capacities of art institutions in the present.

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There will also be a workshop featuring Jacob Geller in Oslo on 14 February.

The film ‘Hopeless Mother’ addresses a taboo – New awards in December 2024

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“The film will contribute to greater openness,” comments Moe.
Here is the list of new awards made by Fritt Ord in December 2024 in response to applications for NOK 100 000 or less.