Freedom Prize of the Media
The LUDWIG-ERHARD-SUMMIT also features the presentation of the Freedom Prize of the Media. Endowed by the WEIMER MEDIA GROUP, the prize is awarded to public figures who have made outstanding contributions to freedom of expression, political dialogue and democracy.
Joachim Gauck
2025
Joachim Gauck is presented the Freedom Prize of the Media for his lifelong commitment to freedom, democracy, and justice. Shaped by the lack of freedom in the former East Germany, he became, as Federal President, a moral voice against populism and authoritarian tendencies.
Laudator:
Dalia Grybauskaitė
The Navalny Couple
2024
Yulia Navalnaya is the courageous leading figure of the resistance movement in Russia. Following the death of her husband Alexei Navalny, who died on 16 February 2024 in a Siberian penal colony at the hands of Vladimir Putin’s torturers, she has become the leader of the democratic awakening in Russia.
Laudator:
Friedrich Merz
Garri Kasparow
2023
The award is presented to the Russian opposition figure Garry Kimovich Kasparov, on behalf of all those who are committed to a future of Russia in peace, freedom, and democracy, often risking their lives in the process.
Laudator:
Nicola Beer
Marina Owsjannikowa
2022
The Russian journalist Ovsyannikova put her personal safety and future at risk for the sake of truth, reminding us how vital freedom of expression and journalistic independence are for democratic societies.
Laudator:
Ilse Aigner and Manfred Weber
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
2022
President Zelenskyy represents a generation of charismatic leaders who inspire people around the world through their courage, vision, love of freedom and justice. Together with millions of Ukrainians, he is a freedom hero of the 21st century, engaged in a self-sacrificing fight against despotism and the threat to our freedom, as well as values posed by illiberal and autocratic systems.
Laudator:
Ilse Aigner and Manfred Weber
Sebastian Kurz
2021
Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has been building bridges across the continent, proving himself to be an open mediator for whom a united Europe is not merely a vision but a lived reality. Domestically, he has also succeeded in constructively integrating long-standing political rivals into various government coalitions.
Laudator:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Prince Albert II of Monaco
2020
Like few other statesmen, Prince Albert II has been committed to preserving creation in recent years. Since the turn of the millennium, the political scientist by training has been drawing attention to the dangers of climate change and has been actively engaged in nature conservation.
Laudator:
Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann
Jean-Claude Juncker
2019
In politically challenging times for the European Union, Jean-Claude Juncker has proven himself to be a great bridge-builder for Europe. For Juncker, advancing the European unification process is not only a matter close to his heart, but has also become a successful duty.
Laudator:
Dr. Ingo Friedrich
Christian Lindner
2018
The Chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) was honored for bringing German liberalism back into parliament and for rendering a great service to the ideas of freedom and the rule of law beyond the day-to-day political affairs.
Laudator:
Prof. Udo Di Fabio
Jens Weidmann
2018
The President of the German Bundesbank was honored for his courageous commitment to monetary stability and for defending the independence of central banks.
Laudator:
Ilse Aigner
Reinhard Kardinal Marx
2017
Cardinal Reinhard Marx led the Catholic Church in Germany back to unity after a period of unrest and gave it a sympathetic and powerful image.
Laudator:
Annegret Kamp-Karrenbauer