The European Union (EU) Journalist Award honours online and print journalists in the European Union (EU) who, through their work, contribute to a better public understanding of the benefits of diversity and the fight against discrimination. The competition is open to journalists in the EU who write on issues of discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, disability, and sexual orientation. All articles must have been published in either a print or an online media outlet in the EU, including the publications of individual companies, associations, or universities.

This year’s (2009's) competition includes a special award in anticipation of the "2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion". The award is for articles on how discrimination based on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age, disability, or sexual orientation can lead to poverty. In this special category, journalists are invited to submit entries that explore how poverty can lead to discrimination.

An independent jury of media professionals and anti-discrimination experts will select 27 national award winners, as well as one overall European winner in this special category and a winner of the European competition, plus the two runners-up. These entries will then be judged by an EU jury which will choose an overall winner and two runners-up. Winners will receive prizes with a value of up to EU€4,500, consisting of activities or equipment.

Click here for more information and access to competition rules, assessment criteria, and the entry procedure in PDF format, as well as access to the online entry form. This site is available in 23 languages. Articles must be submitted in one of the 23 official EU languages and be at least 3,800 characters (including spaces) in length. It’s recommended that the articles do not exceed 50,000 characters (including spaces).

The EU Journalist Award website on June 11 2009.