Investigative reporting produced in the Global South can be submitted for the 2027 GIJN Global Shining Light Award. The award recognises journalism that exposes serious wrongdoing or corruption while being produced under threat, duress, or unusually difficult conditions.
Overview
Eligible work must have been published or broadcast between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026. The competition is divided into two organisation-size categories so smaller investigative teams are not assessed directly against much larger newsrooms.
The Small and Medium category is for organisations with 20 or fewer staff, including freelancers. The Large category is for organisations with more than 20 staff.
Benefits
- Cash Prize: Top winners receive US$2,500.
- Conference Travel: Top winners receive a trip to GIJC27 in Rotterdam.
- Award Plaque: Winners receive formal recognition through the Global Shining Light Award.
- International Visibility: Winning investigations are highlighted to GIJN’s global investigative-journalism community.
Eligibility
- Geography: The investigation must originate from or substantially concern the Global South.
- Publication Window: The work must have been published or broadcast between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026.
- Investigative Standard: Entries must expose serious wrongdoing, corruption, or abuse affecting the public interest.
- Conditions: The reporting should have been produced under threat, duress, or other exceptionally difficult circumstances.
- Language: Non-English entries must include the detailed English summary or transcript required by GIJN.
- Category: Applicants should enter the appropriate Small and Medium or Large organisation category.
How to Apply
- Deadline: Submissions close on February 28, 2027.
- Select the Category: Choose the newsroom-size category that matches the organisation responsible for the work.
- Prepare Supporting Material: Provide the investigation and the English-language information required by the official call.
- Submit: Complete the official GIJN award submission before the deadline.
