# Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of Press

The Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of Press (جائزة سمير قصير لحرية الصحافة) is an annual award established by the European Union in 2006 to honor the memory of Lebanese journalist Samir Kassir, who was assassinated on June 2, 2005, in Beirut. The award recognizes journalists from North Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf who have distinguished themselves through the quality of their work and their commitment to human rights, democracy, good governance, and civic engagement. Each winner receives a €10,000 prize.

## History

The establishment of the Samir Kassir Award was announced on October 7, 2005, by the European Commission during a press conference in Beirut. The award was created to support journalists covering issues related to human rights, good governance, the rule of law, the fight against corruption, freedom of expression, democratic development, and citizen participation.
The Samir Kassir Foundation, launched on February 1, 2006, by friends of Samir Kassir, collaborates with the European Union to administer the award. The first award ceremony took place on June 2, 2006, marking the first anniversary of Kassir's assassination. Initially, the award was divided into two categories: best article and best master's thesis. Over the years, it evolved to focus on print journalism and later included categories for best opinion article, best investigative article, and best audiovisual news report. The 2020 edition also included a special Students' Award, granted by students from Lebanese universities, and since2021 by students from universities across the MENA region.
Since its inception, the Samir Kassir Award has been awarded 19 times, recognizing the work of 57 journalists and researchers, including 34 men and 23 women.
The award has been granted 18 times to Egyptian winners, 12 times to Syrian winners, 9 times to Lebanese winners, 5 times to Palestinian winners, 4 times to Iraqi winners, 3 times to Tunisian winners, and once each to Yemeni, Algerian, Jordanian, and Libyan winners.

## Jury Composition

The award jury comprises seven members of different nationalities and backgrounds, including four from the Arab world and three from European Union Member States. Jury members have included journalists, media professionals, human rights investigators, researchers, civil society representatives, and former government officials recognized for their contributions to advancing human rights.

## Winners

| Year | Category | Winner | Country |
| 2024 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report Students | Abdelrahman ElGendy Hadeel Arja Aseel Sariah Mohammed Abu Shahma | Egypt Syria Yemen Palestine |
| 2023 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report Students | Inas Hakky Mahmoud Elsobky Mohamad Chreyteh Inas Hakky | Syria Egypt Lebanon Syria |
| 2022 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report Students | Ezzat el Kamhawi Safaa Khalaf Iman Adel Rukaia Al-Abadi and Fatima Othman | Egypt Iraq Egypt Syria / Lebanon |
| 2021 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report Students | Yehya Al-Yaqoubi Sultan Jalabi Hoda Zakaria and Mennatullah Hamdy / Hammadi Lassoued Yehya Al-Yaqoubi | Palestine Syria Egypt / Tunisia Palestine |
| 2020 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report Students | Rim Ben Rjeb Mostafa Abu Shams Dalal Mawad Kamal Ayash | Tunisia Syria Lebanon Iraq |
| 2019 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report | Roger Asfar Ali Al-Ibrahim Youssef Ziraoui | Syria Syria Morocco |
| 2018 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report | Miloud Yabrir Asmaa Shalaby Asaad Zalzali | Algeria Egypt Iraq |
| 2017 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report | Issa Ali Khodr Ghada El-Sharif Asaad Zalzali | Syria Egypt Iraq |
| 2016 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report | Maher Massoud Mohammad Tarek Matar Ismaeel | Syria Egypt Syria |
| 2015 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report | Ayman Al-Ahmad Hesham Mannaa Mohammad Nour Ahmad | Syria Egypt Palestine |
| 2014 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report | Mohamed Abo El-Gheit Hanene Zbiss Orwa Mokdad | Syria Tunisia Egypt |
| 2013 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article Best Audiovisual Report | Ahmed Abu Draa Doha Hassan Luna Safwan | Egypt Palestine Lebanon |
| 2012 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article | Suleiman al-Khalidi Pakinam Amer | Jordan Egypt |
| 2011 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article | Ethar El-Katatney Habib Battah | Egypt Lebanon |
| 2010 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article | Mustafa Fetouri Safaa Saleh | Libya Egypt |
| 2009 | Best Opinion Article Best Investigative Article | Mona Eltahawy Carole Kerbage | Egypt Lebanon |
| 2008 | Article Thesis | Naela Khalil Marwan Harb | Palestine Lebanon |
| 2007 | Article Thesis | Ahmed Benchemsi Rita Chemaly | Morocco Lebanon |
| 2006 | Article Article | Habib Battah Dina Abdel Mooty Darwish | Lebanon  Egypt |