Lottomatica Foundation at the Ischia Prize: sponsorship of the 47th Edition of the International Journalism Awards
The Lottomatica Foundation sponsored the 47th edition of the Ischia International Journalism Award, with the closing ceremony taking place in Piazza Santa Restituta in Lacco Ameno and hosted by Alessio Lasta. The event, which opened with a tribute to Giorgio Gaber on the themes of freedom and participation, brought together Italian and international journalists and media outlets for a discussion on the most pressing challenges facing contemporary journalism, from conflict reporting to online disinformation.
“Communicators of the Year” Award
Paolo Iammatteo (Poste Italiane) and Silvia Grassi (CSM) have been named “Communicators of the Year” at the 18th edition of the Ischia Award, an honor dedicated to those who innovate and strengthen the reputation of the public sector and its institutions.
Over the past year, Iammatteo has spearheaded the communication campaign for Poste Italiane’s Polis project, a crucial effort to combat the digital divide in small towns (with fewer than 15,000 residents) that has garnered extraordinary attention in local news outlets.
Silvia Grassi, on the other hand, was recognized for her management of the CSM’s press office: a communication approach characterized by restraint and institutional respect, which clearly explained the work of the oversight body while highlighting the importance of constitutional balance and the role of the President of the Republic, who presides over it.
War Reporting and the Challenge of Fake News
The evening focused on the risks currently threatening free and verified journalism. The International Journalism Award went to Clare Margetson of The Guardian and was presented by Ambassador Giampiero Massolo, president of the Ischia Award, and Antonio Funiciello. The European award went to Ukrainska Pravda, accepted by Sevgil Musayeva and investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach for their work documenting the war in Ukraine. The title of Journalist of the Year was awarded to Stefania Battistini of RAI for her commitment to reporting on conflicts from the front lines.
Other awards presented that evening
The jury also recognized other areas of journalism: sports journalism with Franco Bragagna, satire with Federico Palmaroli (Osho), and sustainable communication with Mario Calabresi. The Unipol Opening New Ways of Journalism Award went to the geopolitical publication Aliseo, accepted by Francesco Dalmazio Casini, while a special mention recognized the work of Giuseppe Crimaldi of Il Mattino. The awards ceremony was accompanied by a musical overture by Peppe Servillo and the Solis String Quartet dedicated to Neapolitan song.
Freedom of the press is a commitment that must be renewed every year
For the Lottomatica Foundation, its support for the Ischia Prize is part of its focus on the civic value of information—a common thread that also links other initiatives supported by the Foundation, from funding research on financial market law to promoting contemporary culture, all of which reflect a commitment to spreading knowledge. As President Riccardo Capecchi points out:
“We believe that supporting initiatives like this means contributing to the spread of a culture of dialogue and knowledge, while promoting an increasingly free and informed public debate. Today, we must realize that pluralistic, unbiased information can no longer be taken for granted, especially in the age of social media, information bubbles, and the associated risks of algorithmic manipulation. Rewarding those who carry out this work with professionalism and rigor means making a concrete contribution to collective freedom: a mission that, believe me, is by no means a given. “.
The Ischia 2026 Award was organized with the participation of the Campania Region, the Institute for Sports and Cultural Credit, the Municipality of Lacco Ameno d’Ischia, and SIAE, along with Eni as the main sponsor and Unipol, Mundys, and the Menarini Group. In this context, the Lottomatica Foundation’s sponsorship joins that of other organizations in the fields of journalism and culture to recognize those who, every day, bring professionalism and rigor to the service of the media.