In a world of constant change, journalism is not only a means of reporting facts, but also a fundamental tool for defending peace and democracy, promoting justice and giving a voice to those who have none. The narration of complex realities, especially in contexts of conflict and inequality, requires an increasingly attentive, critical and inclusive gaze. Unfortunately, this growing need for information coincides with a deepening crisis in the publishing industry, which is threatened by unfair competition from social networks and search engines, as well as new information consumption habits on the part of users.
It is in this scenario that events dedicated to the role of information take on a particular importance, offering spaces for debate and reflection on the future of information. In this sense, the role of Bari, one of the most important cities in the south of Italy, in 2025, stands out.
The European Press Prize comes to Italy for the first time
Launched in 2012, the European Press Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for independent journalism in Europe. Established by a consortium of international foundations and media organisations, the prize aims to reward quality information, promote press freedom and explore the media landscape and its role in society.
The prize is open to journalists of any nationality, provided their work is published in a European language. Each year, prizes are awarded to the best investigations in five different categories: The Investigative Journalism Prize (for investigations that have brought to light facts of great public interest); The Distinguished Journalism Prize (for reporting that has told a truly exceptional story); The Public Discourse Prize (for the article that has succeeded in stimulating debate and contributing to the understanding of complex issues); The Innovation Prize (for innovation in journalism); The Migration Journalism Prize (for the best investigation into the phenomenon of migration). In addition, the jury may award a special prize for a particularly outstanding piece of journalism. Each winner will receive a cheque for 10,000 euros, to be used preferably for a project that will enrich the practice of journalism.
One of the distinctive features of the prize is its travelling ceremony, which is held in a different city each year: from Amsterdam to London, from Berlin to Madrid, from Prague to Tbilisi, the prize has travelled all over Europe. Bari has been chosen to host the ceremony for the thirteenth edition of the European Press Prize. The event will take place on 28 May 2025 at the Teatro Kursaal Santalucia.
The choice of the Apulian capital marks an important turning point: it is the first time that the ceremony has not been held in a capital city. There are several reasons for this choice: first of all, the geographical position of Bari, which, although a medium-sized city, has traditionally been a bridge between continental Europe and the Mediterranean countries. The city of Saint Nicholas, also venerated by Orthodox Christians, also has geopolitical and cultural significance in relation to Greece, Russia and Eastern Europe.
As Jennifer Athanasiou-Prins, Executive Director of the European Press Prize, explained, the other elements that spoke in favour of Bari’s candidacy were the city’s vocation in international journalism: both the historic presence of the World Press Photo Exhibition, organised by the Cime association, and the annual organisation of the Mediterranean Journalists’ Forum, organised by the association of the same name and the IdeaDinamica cooperative. The concrete support of the Region of Apulia and the City of Bari have also been elements that have made possible the arrival of such an important event on the world journalism scene.
World Press Photo Exhibition: the world’s best photographs
For more than a decade, Bari has become an international stage for photojournalism thanks to the World Press Photo Exhibition, one of the most prestigious photojournalism exhibitions in the world, which presents the winning images of the World Press Photo competition, dedicated to the most important world events: wars, environmental emergencies, social issues and moments of extraordinary humanity. The exhibition, which will be held in the extraordinary Margherita Theatre, is an immersive experience that will allow us to better understand the world through the eyes of great photojournalists and is also a point of reference for the culture and defence of press freedom, offering a space for debate between photojournalists, journalists and citizens. The event will be held between October and December 2025.
Tenth Forum of Mediterranean Women Journalists
For the past ten years, the Association of Med Women Journalists has organised the FMWJ: a space for dialogue and exchange where information professionals from different Mediterranean countries debate crucial issues such as press freedom, human rights and the coverage of global crises. In a region characterised by great political, social and cultural complexity, the Forum is a meeting point for different experiences and perspectives, with the aim of building a more inclusive and aware journalism, capable of breaking down stereotypes and barriers. The event is held every year at the University of Bari and other cities in Puglia around 25 November, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In its first nine years, it has welcomed journalists from almost all the Euro-Mediterranean countries: Albania, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Montenegro, Palestine, Syria, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey. In addition to: USA, UK, Russia, Ukraine, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Germany, Belgium, Iran and others.
