PAMATAI
JOURNALISM
AWARD
2026
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award
Lithuanian Investigative Journalism Award “Pamatai” is an independent annual award designed to evaluate outstanding investigative journalism works that are significant to Lithuanian society, public interest and democracy.
A thriving democracy requires bold and independent journalism. The Foundation for Investigative Journalism aims to strengthen the country's institutions, contribute to the fight against corruption and promote a culture of accountability. Journalists who defend the public interest will be recognized, supported and honoured thanks to the Foundation Award.
Each year, the award is given for a single study or a series of studies that address topics of importance to society. The selected winner will be awarded a cash prize, the amount of which will be announced by the Foundation each year prior to the submission of nominations. The selection process shall be based on the evaluation of independent experts and the decision of the Committee, in accordance with the principles of transparency and objectivity.
In 2026, a €200,000 award will be presented to the winner for work published in 2025. Three finalists will also be announced. The prize is funded from the Lithuanian Investigative Journalism Support and Charity Fund.
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Selection Committee: 2026
2026 Selection committee
The works and nominations submitted for the award are evaluated by independent experts, and the winner of the award is selected by an international selection committee composed of experienced, reputable journalists, representatives of the academic community and experts in other fields.
The Selection Committee are acting independently and are guided by clear principles to avoid conflicts of interest.
The submitted works are evaluated according to the following criteria:
—— importance for the public interest
—— impact on society and democracy
—— professional and methodological quality of the journalism work
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and Executive Editor at the Pulitzer Center; former deputy director of International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), leading major global investigative collaborations such as the Panama Papers.
Pulitzer-Prize winning investigative reporter. With his colleague Frederik Obermaier he received the ground breaking Panama Papers leak from an anonymous source, ten years later they are co-leading the Munich based investigative start up Paper Trail Media.
Award winning German journalist and long term foreign correspondent for ARD German TV, documentary filmmaker and book author, known for reporting on international conflicts, human rights, and social issues, particularly in Africa, Russia and Ukraine.
Dutch historian, author and public intellectual, known for bestselling books like Humankind, Utopia for Realists, and most recently Moral Ambition, and commentary on inequality and social policy.
Lithuanian journalist, lecturer and media researcher, head of the Lithuanian Journalism Center, and member of the Centre for Journalism and Media Research at Vilnius University. Known for civic media initiatives, focusing on human rights and social issues.
Lithuanian public policy and governance expert, working on innovation, evidence-based policymaking, and evaluation of public sector reforms, co-founder of Visionary Analytics.
British journalist, author and security expert specialising in cyber-security, espionage, information warfare and Russian foreign and defence policy. Founder of the Baltic International Security Centre; former senior editor at The Economist.
Lithuanian anti-corruption expert, long-time head of Transparency International Lithuania, working on transparency, civic engagement, and accountability initiatives.
Professor of journalism and communication at Vytautas Magnus University, with special focus on media governance, digital civics, and information integrity in the Baltics; she is also a UNESCO Co-Chair on Media and Information Literacy for Inclusive Knowledge Societies and the Head of the Baltic Research Foundation for Digital Resilience.
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and Executive Editor at the Pulitzer Center; former deputy director of International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), leading major global investigative collaborations such as the Panama Papers.
Pulitzer-Prize winning investigative reporter. With his colleague Frederik Obermaier he received the ground breaking Panama Papers leak from an anonymous source, ten years later they are co-leading the Munich based investigative start up Paper Trail Media.
Award winning German journalist and long term foreign correspondent for ARD German TV, documentary filmmaker and book author, known for reporting on international conflicts, human rights, and social issues, particularly in Africa, Russia and Ukraine.
Dutch historian, author and public intellectual, known for bestselling books like Humankind, Utopia for Realists, and most recently Moral Ambition, and commentary on inequality and social policy.
Lithuanian journalist, lecturer and media researcher, head of the Lithuanian Journalism Center, and member of the Centre for Journalism and Media Research at Vilnius University. Known for civic media initiatives, focusing on human rights and social issues.
Lithuanian public policy and governance expert, working on innovation, evidence-based policymaking, and evaluation of public sector reforms, co-founder of Visionary Analytics.
British journalist, author and security expert specialising in cyber-security, espionage, information warfare and Russian foreign and defence policy. Founder of the Baltic International Security Centre; former senior editor at The Economist.
Lithuanian anti-corruption expert, long-time head of Transparency International Lithuania, working on transparency, civic engagement, and accountability initiatives.
Professor of journalism and communication at Vytautas Magnus University, with special focus on media governance, digital civics, and information integrity in the Baltics; she is also a UNESCO Co-Chair on Media and Information Literacy for Inclusive Knowledge Societies and the Head of the Baltic Research Foundation for Digital Resilience.