Winners of the 26th World Press Freedom International Editorial Cartoon Competition Announced

OTTAWA, CANADA – The results of the prestigious 26th World Press Freedom International Editorial Cartoon Competition have been officially released. This year’s competition, held under the poignant theme “Times Are Tough,”highlighted the critical role of visual journalism in documenting and critiquing the complex challenges of the modern era.

As global crises—ranging from economic instability to threats against freedom of expression—continue to evolve, editorial cartoonists from around the globe submitted works that offered bold, insightful, and often stark visual commentaries on the current state of world affairs.

🏆 The Podium Winners

After a rigorous selection process by an international jury of experts, the following cartoonists were awarded the top honors:

• First Prize: Darko Drljevic (Montenegro 🇲🇪)
• Second Prize: Joel Pett (USA 🇺🇸)
• Third Prize: Patrick Lamontagne (Canada 🇨🇦)

🥇 First Prize: Darko Drljevic – 🇲🇪 Montenegro

🥈 Second Prize: Joel Pett – 🇺🇸 USA

🥉 Third Prize: Patrick Lamontagne – 🇨🇦 Canada

🏅 Awards of Excellence

In recognition of their exceptional artistic skill and the depth of their editorial insight, the Jury also presented Awards of Excellence to ten distinguished cartoonists:

• 🇨🇦 Dale Cummings – Canada
• 🇳🇱 Emanuele Del Rosso – The Netherlands
• 🇩🇪 Hans-Georg Riemann – Germany
• 🇫🇷 Jean-Michel Renault – France
• 🇨🇦 Nancy Beiman – Canada
• 🇩🇰 Niels Bo Bojesen – Denmark
• 🇳🇴 Osman Obeid – Norway
• 🇧🇪 Steven Degryse (LECTRR) – Belgium
• 🇳🇱 Tjeerd Royaards – The Netherlands
• 🇲🇺 William Rasoanaivo – Mauritius

🇨🇦 Dale Cummings – Canada

🇳🇱 Emanuele Del Rosso – The Netherlands

🇩🇪 Hans-Georg Riemann – Germany

🇫🇷 Jean-Michel Renault – France

🇨🇦 Nancy Beiman – Canada

🇩🇰 Niels Bo Bojesen – Denmark

🇳🇴 Osman Obeid – Norway

🇧🇪 Steven Degryse (LECTRR) – Belgium

🇳🇱 Tjeerd Royaards – The Netherlands

🇲🇺 William Rasoanaivo – Mauritius

“Times Are Tough”

The 26th edition of this competition once again serves as a testament to the power of the editorial cartoon as a pillar of free press. The 2026 theme, “Times Are Tough,” resonates with a global audience, reflecting the resilience of the human spirit amidst political and social adversity.

By distilling complex geopolitical issues into a single, powerful frame, these artists continue to defend democratic values and hold power to account through the universal language of art.

About the Competition: The World Press Freedom International Editorial Cartoon Competition is one of the most respected platforms in the world for editorial cartooning, celebrating the courage of artists who use their pens to advocate for transparency, justice, and human rights.