The Society of Editors’ prestigious Media Freedom Awards are now open for entry, with 22 categories celebrating excellence in public interest, investigative, campaigning and community journalism from across the UK’s news media.
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 print, broadcast, digital, magazine and emerging news platforms. New categories for 2026 include Scoop of the Year and Social Media Journalist of the Year.
Now in their fifth year, the awards opened for entry today (Monday 6 July 2026), with the submission window closing on Sunday 16 August 2026. The awards are supported by Allwyn, VodafoneThree and Octopus Energy.
The Media Freedom Awards celebrate journalism that serves the public interest. While many winning entries may expose wrongdoing or hold power to account, judges will also look for evidence of journalism that informs the public, champions media freedom, drives meaningful change, gives voice to under-represented communities or demonstrates outstanding journalistic enterprise and public service. To be eligible, entries must have been published or broadcast between 11 August 2025 and 16 August 2026.
This year’s event will once again see editors, news leaders and journalists from across the UK come together for a high-profile awards ceremony at Shakespeare’s Globe, London, on Wednesday 11 November 2026.
Announcing the launch of the 2026 awards, Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors, said: “The Media Freedom Awards celebrate the very best of journalism in all its forms and recognise the journalists and news organisations whose work makes a genuine difference to society. At a time when trusted, public interest journalism has never been more important, we want to showcase the investigations, campaigns and reporting that inform the public, challenge injustice and strengthen our democracy.
“We encourage entries from news organisations of every size, working across print, broadcast, digital and emerging platforms.”
Entries are now open at www.societyofeditors.org.
For sponsorship enquiries, please contact office@societyofeditors.org.
A full list of categories, eligibility criteria and entry guidance can be found at www.societyofeditors.org.
