EP journalism prize awarded to investigation into Pylos migrant boat shipwreck

The joint investigation was a collaboration between the Greek investigative outlet Solomon, Forensis, the content network Funk by German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF, and the British newspaper The Guardian.

Journalists revealed how the deadliest migrant shipwreck in recent history happened as a result of the actions taken by the Greek Coast Guard. It also reveals inconsistencies in the Greek authorities’ official accounts.

The investigation took an in-depth look into the events surrounding the loss of the fishing trawler Adriana on 14 June this year some 50 nautical miles off Pylos, in south-western Greece, killing over 600 migrants who had left Libya some days earlier.

Over 20 interviews were made with survivors, and court documents and coastguard sources were looked into.

The findings detail missed rescue opportunities and offers of assistance that were ignored, whereas the survivors’ testimonies indicate that it was the attempts by the Greek coastguard to tow the trawler that ultimately caused its sinking. The Greek coastguard denied that it attempted to tow the trawler.

The fateful night was simulated by Forensis using interactive 3D modelling of the trawler thanks to data from the coastguard’s log and testimony of the coast guard vessel’s captain, as well as from flight paths, maritime traffic data, satellite imagery and videos taken by nearby shipping vessels and other sources.

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

Between 3 May and 31 July 2023, more than 700 journalists from the 27 EU countries submitted their stories for consideration. Twelve of these submissions were shortlisted by the jury before the winner was decided.

The Shift’s investigative series on Malta’s dealings with Qatar was among the shortlisted submissions.

The independent jury is composed of representatives of the press and civil society from the 27 European member states and a representative of the International Federation of Journalists.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Vice-President Pina Picierno, and Juliane Hielscher representing the jury, participated in the award ceremony at European Parliament in Strasbourg.

“Today, as every year, we honour Daphne Caruana Galizia’s memory with a prize that is a powerful reminder of her fight for truth and justice. Journalists around the world continue to be targeted just for doing their job, but they refuse to be silenced. This Parliament stands by their side in this long-standing battle to safeguard press freedom and media pluralism in Europe and beyond”, Roberta Metsola said.