The Free Media Awards honour courageous investigations and reports produced under pressure and risk. Among the laureates are the journalists recently sentenced to prison for their work.
“I will express my warm congratulations to all the winners for achieving this important award. The courage of journalists working under pressure is an inspiration to us and serves as a constant reminder to us that a free press is essential to democracy. The Free Media Awards 2025 highlights the value of free journalism in times of war, censorship, and political repression. The arrests of the journalists Mzia Amaglobeli and Nargiz Absalamova show the cost at which independent journalists defend the public’s right to the truth. We hope this award will draw international attention to their situation and help protect freedom of speech,” says Berit Lindeman, Secretary General of the NHC.
This year, the award was given to six laureates:
Gwara Media (Ukraine)
A media platform from Kharkiv, known for its fact-based reporting from the front. The team documents war crimes, conducts fact-checking and creates projects about life in the region.
Mzia Amaglobeli (Georgia)
Journalist and founder of the news platforms “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti”. In August 2025 she was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison on politically motivated charges.
Direkt36 (Hungary)
An investigative online publication from Budapest. Publishes high-profile materials on corruption and abuse of power.
Alexandra Astakhova (Russia)
A photographer and photojournalist. She documents the trials of political prisoners and shows the real stories of people under pressure from the state.
Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC) (Belarus)
A media outlet operating in exile in Warsaw. The center publishes investigations into corruption and sanctions evasions schemes, produces news and analytical materials, and runs a popular YouTube channel.
Nargiz Absalamova (Azerbaijan)
Journalist at AbzasMedia, author of reports on climate, corruption, and social rights. Her materials have received millions of views. In June 2025, she was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli and investigative online media outlet Direkt36 were both nominated by the NHC.
Text by: Samir Sultanov