Entries for the Media Freedom Awards for 2026 will open for entry on Monday 6 July 2026. Recognising excellence in campaigning and investigative journalism, the awards set the benchmark for a celebration of public interest journalism and will culminate with a high-profile awards ceremony at the Globe Theatre on Wednesday 11 November 2026. 

With returning categories including Investigation of the Year, Political Journalist of the Year and Commentator of the Year, the awards are open to journalists and news organisations working across all platforms including national and regional print media, broadcast, digital and magazine journalism. New categories for 2026 include Scoop of the Year and Social Media Journalist of the Year.

Supported by VodafoneThree, Allwyn and Octopus Energy, entries will be open from 9am on Monday 6 July and close at midnight on Sunday 16 August 2026 with a shortlist published in September. A list of categories and rules of entry will be published next week. 

Photos and video from last year’s Media Freedom Awards can be found below. 

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