Björn Steiger Foundation Journalism Award

The Björn Steiger Foundation’s award, announced nationwide in Germany every two years, honors outstanding contributions that provide insights into the daily life and challenges of emergency medical services. Private individuals from the journalism sector – including professional journalists and media professionals in print, radio, television, as well as online and social media – may submit their reports, features, documentaries, and multimedia projects. Evaluation criteria include the quality and innovativeness of the research, relevance to the emergency and rescue services sector, as well as the media execution and reach of the contributions. The purpose of the funding is to make the essential work of emergency responders visible and to raise public awareness of structural, organizational, and human aspects in everyday emergency medical services.

The awardees receive not only public recognition but also make an important contribution to advancing the debate on emergency aid. A distinguished jury composed of representatives from politics, media, and civil society decides the winners, who are honored at a ceremonial award event in Berlin. The award is aimed at all those who, through eloquent and investigative forms of presentation, make the urgency and diversity of everyday emergency medical services comprehensible. By emphasizing innovative research methods and honoring media execution, the foundation promotes the professionalization and visibility of contributions that reach both specialist audiences and the general public.