The 2025 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism has been awarded to ‘Follow the Money’ a Dutch platform for investigative journalism. The investigation, led in collaboration with 13 newsrooms from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, and the United Kingdom, revealed how Western shipowners earned over 6 billion dollars selling 230 aging tankers to Russia's shadow fleet.
The award helps to promote EU principles and values, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It is named in honour of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the Maltese journalist, blogger and anti-corruption activist who was assassinated in 2017.

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025

The 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism has been awarded to ‘Lost in Europe’ a not-for-profit cross-border journalism project. The winning investigation uncovered that between 2021 and 2023, more than 51000 unaccompanied child migrants went missing after arriving in Europe.   The award contributes to the promotion of EU principles and values, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. It is named in honour of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the Maltese journalist, blogger and anti-corruption activist assassinated in 2017.

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2024

A Greek, German and British consortium has won the 2023 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize. The investigation took an in-depth look into the events surrounding the loss of the fishing trawler Adriana on 14 June 2023 some 50 nautical miles off Pylos, in south-western Greece, killing over 600 migrants who had left Libya some days earlier. 
The award contributes to the promotion of principles and values of the EU, as enshrined in the European Charter of Human Rights. It in honour of Daphne Caruana Galizia, the Maltese journalist, blogger and anti-corruption activist killed in 2017.

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2023

On 3 May, World Press Freedom Day, the European Parliament officially launched the second edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism. Set up in 2019, the prize aims to recognise outstanding in-depth journalistic work on topics that are relevant to the European Union as a whole or to some of its Member States. The award contributes to the promotion of EU principles and values, as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

The European Parliament has repeatedly advocated press freedom and media pluralism in the EU and abroad.&nbsp; World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO's General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the&nbsp;Declaration of Windhoek&nbsp;is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.

Already in 2018 the EP adopted a resolution on media pluralism and media freedom in the EU, noting the political developments in various members states, that have led to increased pressures on and threats against journalists.&nbsp; The European Parliament has also&nbsp;launched the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.&nbsp;

The prize commends outstanding journalism revolving around the principles and values of the European Union. On the field of legislation, Parliament wants to reinforce protection of journalists and activists in the EU against unfounded and abusive lawsuits aimed to silence them.&nbsp;

MEPs also gave their final green light to new legislation to protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference during the March Plenary session.

Under the new law, adopted by 464 votes in favour to 92 against and 65 abstentions, member states will be obliged to protect media independence and all forms of interventions in editorial decisions will be banned.

More info:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19014/media-freedom-act-a-new-bill-to-protect-eu-journalists-and-press-freedom">https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19014/media-freedom-act-a-new-bill-to-protect-eu-journalists-and-press-freedom</a>

Press freedom

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

The Prize is a tribute to the Maltese investigative journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was assassinated in October 2017. It rewards, on a yearly basis, outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union, such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights.

The Prize is open to professional journalists and teams of professional journalists of any nationality to submit in-depth stories that have been published or broadcast by a media outlet based in one of the 27 European Union member states. From 21 May to 31 July 2025, more than 300 applications were submitted by journalists from the 27 EU countries for this fourth edition of the Prize.

The Prize itself, and the €20,000 prize money, demonstrate the European Parliament’s strong support for investigative journalism and the protection of journalists around the world.



Follow the Money won the 2025 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism for exposing the hidden financial networks enabling Russia’s sanction-evading oil trade.

The investigation, coordinated by the platform for investigative journalism “Follow the Money” in collaboration with media from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, revealed how Western shipowners earned over 6 billion dollars selling 230 aging tankers to Russia's shadow fleet.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize 2025 Award ceremony

Seven years after the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the European Parliament discusses the state of the rule of law in Malta. MEPs assess the country's recent developments in upholding European values, focusing on media freedom and anti-corruption efforts. Daphne Caruana Galizia, who exposed corruption, money laundering, and organized crime, was murdered in a car bomb attack in 2017, sparking outrage and political upheaval, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

In the same session, the winner of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism will be announced, honoring her legacy in the fight for transparency and justice. The prize, endorsed by the European Parliament in 2020, rewards journalism that upholds the EU’s core values, including democracy, rule of law, and human rights. The €20,000 prize is open to professional journalists from any EU country, and the winner will be chosen by an independent jury.

This debate underscores the EU’s commitment to promoting democracy and the rule of law, both within its borders and in candidate countries, as part of the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism: Award Ceremony

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize 2025 ceremony

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for journalism press seminar ' Silencing journalists' voices around the world '

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism - Award Ceremony

EP Plenary session - Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta

Daphne Caruana Galizia prize press seminar on Safeguarding Media Freedom

Award Ceremony  Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2023

Interview of Carol VALADE, laureate of the Daphne Caruana Galizia prize for journalism (T)

The Award Ceremony of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2022

Announcement by Dafydd AB IAGO, President of IPA and speech by Birte SCHOHAUS, Follow The Money (Netherlands) on behalf of the authors of The Shadow Fleet Secrets, Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025 laureates. Following recommendations formulated around citizens’ proposals in the Conference on the Future of Europe, the EU institutions legislated to safeguard free and independent journalism, since an array of threats to media and journalists are making it increasingly difficult to ensure a healthy information sphere which allows citizens to forge informed opinions and decisions. If disinformation and media capture prevail, then other interlinked pillars of democracy and the rule of law (such as the independence of academia and research, the judiciary, fundamental rights and the treatment of vulnerable groups, non-discrimination, even free and fair elections) will be at risk.This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Ceremony of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025: announcement by Dafydd AB IAGO, President of IPA and speech by Birte SCHOHAUS, on behalf of the authors of The Shadow Fleet Secrets, Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize 2025 laureates

Juliane HIELSCHER, Member of the prize jury and President of the Berlin Press Club, delivers a speech. Following recommendations formulated around citizens’ proposals in the Conference on the Future of Europe, the EU institutions legislated to safeguard free and independent journalism, since an array of threats to media and journalists are making it increasingly difficult to ensure a healthy information sphere which allows citizens to forge informed opinions and decisions. If disinformation and media capture prevail, then other interlinked pillars of democracy and the rule of law (such as the independence of academia and research, the judiciary, fundamental rights and the treatment of vulnerable groups, non-discrimination, even free and fair elections) will be at risk. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Ceremony of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025: speech by Juliane HIELSCHER, Member of the prize jury and President of the Berlin Press Club

EP President Roberta METSOLA opens the ceremony of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025. Media freedom is a key pillar to ensure pluralism and democracy. Following recommendations formulated around citizens’ proposals in the Conference on the Future of Europe, the EU institutions legislated to safeguard free and independent journalism, since an array of threats to media and journalists are making it increasingly difficult to ensure a healthy information sphere which allows citizens to forge informed opinions and decisions. If disinformation and media capture prevail, then other interlinked pillars of democracy and the rule of law (such as the independence of academia and research, the judiciary, fundamental rights and the treatment of vulnerable groups, non-discrimination, even free and fair elections) will be at risk.This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Ceremony of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025: speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

This news item presents a statement by Birte SCHOLAUS, Deputy Editor-in-Chief at Follow the Money and Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025 Laureate, and extracts from the ceremony of award. Media freedom is a key pillar to ensure pluralism and democracy. Following recommendations formulated around citizens’ proposals in the Conference on the Future of Europe, the EU institutions legislated to safeguard free and independent journalism, since an array of threats to media and journalists are making it increasingly difficult to ensure a healthy information sphere which allows citizens to forge informed opinions and decisions. If disinformation and media capture prevail, then other interlinked pillars of democracy and the rule of law (such as the independence of academia and research, the judiciary, fundamental rights and the treatment of vulnerable groups, non-discrimination, even free and fair elections) will be at risk.

Ceremony of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025: statement by one of the authors of The Shadow Fleet Secrets, Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025 Laureates and extracts from the ceremony

Welcoming words by Pina PICIERNO (S&D, IT), EP Vice-President. Media freedom is a key pillar to ensure pluralism and democracy. Following recommendations formulated around citizens’ proposals in the Conference on the Future of Europe, the EU institutions legislated to safeguard free and independent journalism, since an array of threats to media and journalists are making it increasingly difficult to ensure a healthy information sphere which allows citizens to forge informed opinions and decisions. If disinformation and media capture prevail, then other interlinked pillars of democracy and the rule of law (such as the independence of academia and research, the judiciary, fundamental rights and the treatment of vulnerable groups, non-discrimination, even free and fair elections) will be at risk. This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Ceremony of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2025: opening statement by Pina PICIERNO (S&D, IT), EP Vice-President

The European Parliament’s media service organized a press seminar just before the ceremony. This seminar analysed the role of journalists in today’s world and the threats they face, focusing especially on the situation in the Middle East. Palestinian and Israeli journalists shared their firsthand experiences of the ongoing tragedy. The seminar opened online with Italian journalists Roberto Saviano and Sigfrido Ranucci, and closed with Corinne Vella, sister of Daphne Caruana Galizia. The event also highlighted the 10 projects selected as finalists for the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism. Launched in 2020, the Prize is open to professional journalists or teams from any nationality, submitting in-depth work published or broadcast by media based in the 27 EU countries. An independent jury, including representatives from press, civil society, and major European journalists’ associations, selects the winner.

"Heroes of our time: Highlights from the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize Seminar" (short version)

"Heroes of our time: Highlights from the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize Seminar" (long version)

Closing statement by Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, on delayed justice and rule of law backsliding in Malta, eight years after Daphne’s assassination.

Delayed justice and rule of law backsliding in Malta, eight years after Daphne’s assassination: closing statement by Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

Daphne Caruana Galizia prize for journalism (T)

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