The Syrian journalists Ali Al Ibrahim and Mais Katt, receiving their trophy in the "Investigation" category of the 21st Samir Kassir Award, in the presence of jury member, journalist Alex Rowell (right), on Sept. 21 at the Sursock Palace. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — The Samir Kassir Foundation held the 21st edition of the Samir Kassir Award for Press Freedom ceremony Monday at Sursock Palace in Beirut, honoring journalists each year for the best articles published in the Arab press. The award is presented in memory of journalist Samir Kassir, a fervent opponent of the Syrian regime, who was assassinated in Beirut on June 2, 2005.
At the back of the stage, dozens of vests inscribed with "Press" were displayed, in tribute to journalists working in the field.
For the 2026 edition, the jury awarded three distinct prizes:
– The award for "best opinion article" was given to Syrian journalist Fatima Ahmad for her piece titled "Seeds of hate, harvest of wounds," and to Palestinian journalist Ahmad Agha for his article titled "The tent."
– The award for "best investigative article" went to Iraqi journalist Mariya Samarae for a report titled "Don’t drink water before you go out ... In search of women’s toilets in Iraq." This prize also honored the Syrian duo Ali Al Ibrahim and Mais Katt for a report on the fate of children of political prisoners in Syria.
– The award for "best video report" was presented to Lebanese journalist Anthony Barakat for an investigation conducted inside Roumieh Prison.
The ceremony was attended by several Lebanese officials and lawmakers, as well as numerous ambassadors, including Sandra De Waele, the European Union ambassador to Lebanon, who sponsors this distinction.