Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani was honored with the M100 Media Award on Thursday, September 12 at the international media conference Sanssouci Colloquium in Potsdam, Germany. The award is given to individuals or groups of people who are dedicated to strengthening democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression,  freedom of the press, and the protection of European values.

“We no longer live in a world defined by classic wars. The battles are no longer fought with bombs and missiles alone. Words, too, have become a weapon,” Osmani said in her acceptance speech.

Sanssouci Colloquium gathers around 100 participants from independent democratic media across Europe and beyond as well as experts from different fields. The participants engage in discussions on current socio-political trends and the media’s role and influence in global affairs.

Osmani added that information is a powerful tool, saying that the mission of delivering truthful and honest information may be “the most sacred mission of our time,” and highlighting that truthful reporting, fact-checking, the credibility of sources, transparency, and accountability must be “the cornerstones of our modern age.”

Kosovo President Osmani is the first leader from the Balkans to be honored with the M100 international award from the Sanssouci Colloquium. 

Osmani accepted the award not only for herself but also, as she said, for the people of Kosovo “who have fought and continue to fight with unwavering determination to protect their hard-won freedoms.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk was also a recipient of this prestigious award. 

The M100 Media Award has been presented annually since 2005 as part of the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium to individuals or groups of people. Past awardees include late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2021, the people of Ukraine in 2022, and the Women, Life, Freedom movement of Iran in 2023.