Natalie Nougayrède to chair the Panel of Judges

The European Press Prize is proud to announce that Natalie Nougayrède, French journalist and former editor-in-chief of Le Monde, will chair the Panel of Judges!

Natalie Nougayrède has had a distinguished career reporting from Central Europe, Ukraine, the Caucasus and Russia. She served as Le Monde’s diplomatic correspondent before becoming its editor-in-chief, and later worked at The Guardian. In 2005, she received the Albert Londres Prize for her coverage of the Chechnya war. She also supports civil society initiatives in Europe’s eastern regions and serves on the board of InterJust, an NGO fighting cross-border impunity.

Speaking about the importance of journalism today, Natalie said:

“Being a journalist is a very fulfilling job because helping people understand others and the world around them, so that they can make informed choices as citizens, is a beautiful and vital mission for democracy to even exist. It’s also a very challenging job because earning a living in quality journalism is often no easy thing nowadays, and people’s trust is not a given. I haven’t  regretted  one second that I chose to become a journalist, and I encourage others to do the same. But let’s never forget that journalism isn’t communication, it’s not about “selling” people something; its mission is to help individual citizens exercise or defend their freedom. Journalism is about independence, providing facts and context so citizens can make up their minds rationally, not based on whims, fears, or illusions.” 

Natalie Nougayrède’s experience and dedication embody the values at the heart of the European Press Prize: independence, integrity, and a commitment to strengthening journalism as a cornerstone of democracy across Europe.

The European Press Prize 2026 is now open for entries.