The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) have announced the 11 organizations shortlisted for the 2026 IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award, recognizing innovative efforts to sustain independent journalism in an increasingly challenging global environment for press freedom.
The shortlist features media organizations and journalism initiatives from across the world that have demonstrated exceptional creativity and resilience in promoting the free flow of news and information despite political pressure, censorship, conflict, and other threats to independent media.
The annual award honors organizations and media communities that develop innovative journalism models, strengthen press freedom, and expand access to reliable information while serving the needs of their audiences.
The shortlisted organizations for the 2026 award are:
Abzas Media (Azerbaijan)
Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association – CamboJA (Cambodia)
Forbidden Stories (France)
Foundation for Investigative Journalism – FIJ (Nigeria)
Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism – El CLIP (Costa Rica)
Meydan TV (Azerbaijan)
Netra News (Sweden/Bangladesh)
Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism (South Africa)
Radio Dabanga (Sudan)
Syrian Investigative Reporting for Accountability Journalism – SIRAJ (Syria)
Zan Times (Afghanistan)
According to IPI and IMS, the shortlisted organizations have pioneered new approaches to journalism and press freedom defense, providing critical reporting and ensuring public access to independent information in environments marked by repression, conflict, and disinformation.
The winners of the 2026 IPI-IMS Free Media Pioneer Award will be announced in the coming weeks. The award ceremony will take place during the Gabo Festival, scheduled for July 24–26 in Bogotá, Colombia, alongside the presentation of the IPI-IMS World Press Freedom Hero Award.
The 2025 Free Media Pioneer Award was awarded to Hungary’s independent media sector in recognition of its resilience and innovation under sustained political and economic pressure.
