EU Parliament launches Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism on the anniversary of her murder
Oct 15 2020
EU Parliament launches Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism on the anniversary of her murder

To commemorate the third anniversary of the assassination of the Maltese investigative journalist, the prize will reward journalism reflecting EU principles and values.

The launch will take place online on Friday 16 October, 12.30-13.00 CET on the EP’s Facebook page. It will be led by the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Heidi Hautala (Greens, FI), and MEP David Casa (EPP, MT). They will be joined by the murdered journalist’s son, Andrew Caruana Galizia, from Malta.

Speakers will also take questions live from the audience.

Distinguishing outstanding EU journalism

The purpose of the prize is to distinguish outstanding journalism that reflects the European Union’s principles and values, as enshrined in the European Charter of Human Rights. The European Parliament considers that protecting press freedom around the world, and particularly that of investigative journalists whilst exercising their duties, is in the vital interest of democratic societies.

Even though the prize is initiated and supported by Parliament, it will be managed by an independent EU-based media partner in order to protect the independence of the prize and the work of the media.

Next steps

The European Parliament will soon begin selecting an independent organisation to establish the detailed criteria for awarding the prize and decide on who will sit on the jury. A call for tender to select such an organisation will be launched before the end of 2020.

The call for nominees for the prize will be launched around 03 May 2021 – World Press Freedom Day. The annual award ceremony will take each year around the anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s death.

Background

Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese anti-corruption investigative journalist and blogger who was killed in a car bomb attack on 16 October 2017. She focused on investigative journalism, reporting on government corruption, allegations of money laundering and organised crime.

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Next week’s plenary session to take place remotely | News | European Parliament
Oct 15 2020
Next week’s EU Parliament plenary session to take place remotely

Due to the serious public health situation in Belgium and France, the President, in agreement with EP group leaders, has decided that the October II session will take place remotely.

Following the report from the European Parliament’s Medical Service and the information received from the Belgian and French authorities on the evolution of COVID-19, the risk to public health is considered to have increased significantly. On the basis of this evaluation, it was decided that the necessary security conditions have not been met to allow the European Parliament to convene in full in person for the plenary session next week.

To ensure Parliament remains operational, and in particular its legislative and budgetary activity, while avoiding additional risks, Members will be advised to participate remotely. Many plenary interventions will be made from the European Parliament’s Liaison Offices in the member states, while taking into account the national measures in place.

The French and Belgian authorities have been informed of this decision. The European Parliament reiterates its wish to return to its Strasbourg seat as soon as possible and to convene in person, as soon as the situation allows for it.

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President Sassoli press conference on EU summit | News | European Parliament
Oct 14 2020
President Sassoli press conference on EU summit

When: Thursday 15 October at 15:30 – Where: Anna Politkovskaya pressroom and via Skype

EP President David Sassoli will hold a press conference at 15.30 tomorrow (15 October) following his address to heads of state or government at the EU summit. He will comment on the topics EU leaders will discuss during their meeting, like EU-UK relations, tackling COVID-19, climate change and relations between the EU and Africa.

President Sassoli will also reiterate Parliament’s position and expectations regarding the ongoing negotiations on the EU’s long-term budget (MFF) and on Own Resources.

Follow the press conference LIVE on Parliament’s webstreaming or EbS+.

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Sakharov Prize 2020: MEPs select the finalists | News | European Parliament
Oct 12 2020
Sakharov Prize 2020: MEPs select the finalists | News | European Parliament

The democratic opposition in Belarus, Guapinol activists and Berta Cáceres, and the Archbishop of Mosul were shortlisted for the 2020 Sakharov Prize on Monday.

Following a joint vote by MEPs in the Foreign Affairs and Development committees on Monday 12 October, the finalists for the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought are:

  • The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by the Coordination Council, an initiative of brave women and political and civil society figures;

  • Guapinol activists and Berta Cáceres in Honduras;

  • Mgr Najeeb Michaeel, Archbishop of Mosul, Iraq.

Next steps

The European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President and political groups’ leaders) will select the final laureate on Thursday 22 October. The prize itself will be awarded in a ceremony in Parliament’s hemicycle on 16 December.

Background

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is named in honour of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov and the prize money is 50 000 euros.

Last year, the prize was given to Ilham Tohti, an Uyghur economist fighting for the rights of China’s Uyghur minority.

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