Beirut, 25 January 2012

Press release

The European Union launches the "Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press" 2012

Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, Head of the Delegation of the European Union, launched today during a press conference held at the EU Delegation the seventh edition of the "Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press" in the presence of Mrs Gisele Khoury-Kassir, President of Samir Kassir Foundation, and representatives from EU Member States

The "Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press", which is awarded since 2006 by the European Union, honours the Lebanese journalist and writer Samir Kassir who was assassinated in 2005. The Award has grown in popularity since its creation, each year witnessing an ever increasing number of candidates from the Mediterranean region, the Middle East and the Gulf. This was particularly the case in 2011.

Since the beginning of the uprisings in the region, journalists and social media played a key role in supporting and publicising the popular call for freedom of expression and dignity.

Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst said that "Samir Kassir's memory and values are more alive than ever in this period of transition in a newer Mediterranean region. His memory continues to inspire us all to be an engine for democracy and human rights and to open windows for positive change, for freedom, dignity and social justice".

The contest is open to candidates from the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Gulf until 30 March 2012. Two awards will be granted for:

- the best Opinion Article
and
- the best Investigative Reporting Article

related to the rule of law or human rights (good governance, fight against corruption, freedom of expression, etc.).

Since the creation of the "Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press", 634 journalists participated in the contest.

The jury will be composed of seven voting members from Arab and European media and civil society, and one observer representing the European Union. The names of the jury members shall be communicated during the prize-giving ceremony which will take place on 2 June 2012 in Beirut. The winner of each category will receive a prize of €10,000.

The contest regulations, application forms, and details of the candidature file are available on the following website: www.samirkassiraward.org

Press release

2 June 2011
Results of the 2011 Award
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1 February 2011
Launch of the 2011 Award
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2 June 2010
Results of the 2010 Award
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2 June 2010
Speech of Ambassador Patrick Laurent
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27 January 2010
Launch of the 2010 Award
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2 June 2009
Results of the 2009 Award
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2 June 2009
Speech of Ambassador Patrick Laurent
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15 January 2009
Launch of the 2009 Award
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2 June 2008
Results of the 2008 Award
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2 June 2008
Speech of Ambassador Patrick Laurent
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8 January 2008
Launching of the 2008 contest
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2 June 2007
Results of the 2007 Award
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15.12.2006
Launching of the 2007 contest
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Speech of Patrick Laurent, EC's Ambassador
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2.06.2006
Results of the 2006 Award
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Ceremony opening's speech
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19.05.2006
Final meeting of the Jury
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20.03.2006
Launching of the 2006 contest
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7.10.2005
1st Announcment
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