The prize is awarded based on specific criteria including the quality of information, as well as the topics covered and the stance of the media towards sensitive issues such as business, investment, economy, government, politics, crime, corruption, culture and analysis of public opinion.

The prize was received by the UAE’s Permanent Delegation in Geneva at a reception organized in the city of Zurich. The ceremony was attended by representatives from a number of diplomatic missions in Switzerland, state officials. Representatives of media organisations and political and economic personalities.

UAE’s Permanent Representative at the UN office in Geneva Ambassador Obaid Salem Al Zaabi said that the award came to confirm the extent of progress and openness the country’s media has attained, thanks to the political will of the UAE’s wise leadership.

Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan bagged the second, third, fourth and fifth places in the evaluation process supervised by international experts.