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Prominent Journalists Ihsane El Kadi and Michael Haller to Receive "Freedom and Future of the Media" Award
Two distinguished figures in the world of journalism, Ihsane El Kadi from Algeria and Professor Dr. Michael Haller from Germany, will be honoured with the "Freedom and Future of the Media" award in 2025.
Ihsane El Kadi, a prominent Algerian journalist, is recognised for his unwavering stance against the Algerian government and his tireless advocacy for press freedom. Throughout his career, he has reported on significant political and social developments, including the democratic awakening in Algeria in 1988, the civil war during the 1990s, the return of an autocratic regime, and the popular uprising in 2019.
El Kadi co-founded independent media outlets Maghreb Émergent (an online newspaper) and Radio M (a private web radio station), which were among the few independent voices in Algeria and openly critical of the government. His editorial work and outspoken criticism have led to multiple arrests, judicial supervision, and harsh prison sentences, most notably a seven-year sentence upheld on appeal for allegedly receiving illegal foreign funding. He was granted a presidential pardon in November 2024, after 22 months in prison.
Professor Dr. Michael Haller, a German journalism scholar, held a professorship in General and Special Journalism at the University of Leipzig’s Institute for Communication and Media Studies from 1993 to 2010. He is celebrated for his significant contributions to high-quality journalism, bridging theory and practice in journalistic education, and promoting journalistic ethics and responsibility. His academic leadership notably elevated the reputation of journalism studies at the University of Leipzig both nationally and internationally after Germany’s reunification.
The award ceremony, scheduled for October 8, 2025, at the Mediencampus Villa Ida in Leipzig, will be hosted by the Leipzig Media Foundation. The award recognises individuals and institutions that serve press and freedom of expression with great personal commitment. El Kadi will receive the award for his commitment to press freedom and resistance against oppression, while Haller will be honoured for his lifetime achievements in advancing journalistic quality, education, and ethics, symbolising the foundation and future of media integrity and professionalism in democratic societies.
Ihsane El Kadi, born in 1959 in Tripoli, Libya, as the son of an Algerian independence activist, began his journalistic career with state media in 1982. He gained prominence in Algeria and the Maghreb region after the democratic opening in 1988 and the founding of independent media. In 2010, he co-founded the online newspaper Maghreb Émergent, specializing in economic issues from the Maghreb. In 2014, he launched the private internet radio station Radio M.
Professor Dr. Michael Haller, born in 1945, is a German journalist and academic. He studied philosophy, social, and political sciences, and earned his doctorate in political philosophy. He has extensive journalistic experience and has taught journalism theory and practice at various universities. He is the Scientific Director of the "European Institute for Journalism and Communication Research" (EIJK) since its founding in 2003.
The award is endowed with 10,000 euros and is presented by the Sparkasse Leipzig Media Foundation. This prestigious honour underscores the vital role these two individuals have played in upholding the principles of press freedom and promoting ethical journalism in their respective countries and beyond.
During the award ceremony in 2025, Ihsane El Kadi, a renowned Algerian journalist, will be acknowledged for his work in politics, particularly his advocacy for press freedom and his critical stance against the Algerian government. In the same year, Professor Dr. Michael Haller, a celebrated German journalism scholar, will be honoured for his contribution to general-news and journalism education, notably promoting ethical journalism and bridging theory and practice in journalistic education.
