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Renowned experts form the jury for the 2026 Journalism Prize!
On October 31, 2025, the jury for the 2026 Journalism Prize was presented, consisting of renowned media experts and scientists.
Renowned experts form the jury for the 2026 Journalism Prize!
Next year, the NRW Consumer Center's Journalist Prize will be awarded for the fifth time, and the jury has now been chosen. The NRW consumer advice center has selected a group of top-class experts who are responsible for evaluating the submitted work. These include well-known personalities from the media landscape, all of whom will put their expertise at the service of the prize. The North Rhine-Westphalia consumer advice center reports that the jury members come from journalism as well as science and business.
The jury consists of the following members: Melanie Imenkamp, who works at WDR as editorial director of the programs Markt, Servicezeit and Plusminus. Joachim Frank, chief correspondent at the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger and former editor-in-chief of the Frankfurter Rundschau, is also in the group. With Andrea Hansen, the first woman to head the DJV NRW, the jury also brings in a strong female voice, complemented by the scientific expertise of Prof. Dr. Barbara Brandstetter, an experienced business and financial journalist. The team is rounded off by Dr. Günther Horzetzky, a former state secretary who is now involved in the “We Consumers in NRW” support association.
Insight into the jury work
But what makes this jury so special? At least half of the members of each topic jury are experienced journalists, and many of them have already won awards. This ensures an objective and competent assessment of the submitted work. The DJP emphasizes that high-ranking representatives from science and business also contribute to the jury's expertise.
An exciting feature are the different subject areas in which the jury is active. The list of jury members is a mix of professionals who contribute their creativity in the areas of education, finance, mobility and other topics. It becomes known that, for example, Prof. Dr. Regina T. Riphahn from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg contributes her knowledge in the field of economics.
The competition and its relevance
The journalism award itself opens doors for new talent and rewards outstanding journalistic achievements. Especially at a time when independent reporting is more in demand than ever, the consumer advice center proves with this award that good journalism is vitally important. The jury will not only select the best entries, but also promote dialogue about current consumer issues, which is more important than ever in times of fake news and disinformation.
With this large number of experts and passion for journalism, the 2026 Journalist Prize will not only be a highlight of the local media scene in Cologne, but also a sign of the relevance that journalistic work has for our society.