Asia’s top journalism prize opens 2026 entries

The Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) has opened entries for the SOPA 2026 Awards for Editorial Excellence, the region’s most prestigious journalism honors. Submissions will be accepted until 3 p.m. Hong Kong time on 26 February 2026.

Now in its 28th year, the awards are recognized as the “Pulitzer Prizes of Asia” and honor outstanding journalism that upholds truth, integrity, and accountability. The competition spans 21 categories across English, Chinese and Bahasa Indonesia, and is open to global, regional and local publications.

The SOPA 2025 Awards received more than 700 entries, with the Regional/Local Group recording nearly 20 percent growth in participation. SOPA said the awards continue to give smaller and independent newsrooms an important platform to showcase original reporting.

Last year, The Wire won the top Regional/Local award in Women’s Issues for “Breaking The Nets,” which judges praised for offering “a fascinating insight into the knock-on effects of India’s patriarchal society.” Mekong Eye won the regional/local investigative reporting category for “Cattle Hustle,” benefiting from a SOPA entry-fee subsidy.

SOPA said subsidies will again be offered to first-time entrants and smaller outlets with no more than 20 full-time staff, at least half of whom must be editorial employees. Eligible organizations may receive funding for up to two entries at HK$200 (US$25) per entry. Interested publications must contact SOPA early to confirm eligibility.

The Wall Street Journal won the SOPA Award for Public Service Journalism last year for “A Vicious New Scam Industry Metastasizes,” which detailed the global “pig butchering” cyberfraud operations.

“The SOPA Awards have always stood for the highest standards in journalism and continue to serve as a vital platform for recognizing courageous and creative storytelling across Asia,” said Rich Barbieri, deputy editor, Asia Business and Economics, The New York Times and co-chair of SOPA’s Editorial Committee.

This year’s competition will be administered by a newly formed five-member SOPA Awards Administration Panel led by veteran journalist Chris Yeung, alongside Jeffrey Timmermans, Edith Terry, Heng Yu Chien and Harry Surjadi. The panel will oversee the entire judging process, conducted by more than 100 judges from around the world, comprising journalists and journalism academics. SOPA said the process is designed to ensure independence, transparency and fairness.