The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) have announced the winners of their 2026 press freedom awards.
From Azerbaijan, Meydan TV and AbzasMedia have been awarded the “Free Media Pioneer” award.
The award is presented to media organizations that contribute to expanding the free flow of news, strengthening independent media, and creating new opportunities for journalism. This year’s winners were selected from organizations across different countries around the world.
The other recipient of the 2026 Free Media Pioneer award is the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP).
A total of 11 media organizations had been nominated for the award.
Founded in 2013, Meydan TV is known for its citizen journalism as well as its reporting on corruption and human rights violations.
From December 2024 to August 2025, 12 people were arrested in Azerbaijan in connection with the so-called “Meydan TV case.” They are accused of various financial crimes, including money laundering and tax evasion. If convicted, they could face lengthy prison sentences.
According to a statement by IPI and IMS, Meydan TV journalists continue to defend freedom of speech and press freedom from prison cells and courtrooms. The newsroom continues to operate in exile, and the outlet remains one of the few independent media organizations in Azerbaijan amid an increasingly repressive media environment.
Meydan TV editor Orkhan Mammad said that this international recognition is especially important for the journalists who are currently imprisoned.
“For us, Meydan TV being considered for this award is not only recognition of our professional work, but also important moral support during a very difficult and sensitive period. Especially for our colleagues who are imprisoned, this award is a source of hope, joy, and resilience. It recognizes their struggle for freedom of speech, journalism, and truth in Azerbaijan.
Despite the difficulties, pressure, and restrictions we face, it shows that our work does not go unnoticed and that the international community stands in solidarity with us in the fight to preserve access to reliable information in Azerbaijan,” Mammad said.
IPI and IMS also announced the winners of the World Press Freedom Hero Award. In 2026, the award went to Philippine journalist Patricia Evangelista, Chilean journalist Mónica González, and independent journalists from Hungary.
IPI Executive Director Scott Griffen said that this year’s winners demonstrate the resilience of independent media operating under difficult conditions.
“At a time when pressure on press freedom is increasing around the world, these organizations and journalists have shown courage and determination in confronting growing authoritarianism while exposing corruption and human rights abuses,” Griffen said.
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