presented by
The Samizdat Prize is an annual award given to journalists, scholars, and public figures who resisted censorship and stood for truth.
Prize Gala
honorees
Charlie Kirk
Founder of Turning Point USA
Alan Dershowitz
Professor, Harvard Law School
Graham Linehan
Award-winning comedy writer and director
RealClear presents The Samizdat Prize: an annual award honoring courageous journalists and public figures who did not flinch when censorship threatened. Samizdat – “self-publishing” in Russian – was the Soviet-era underground publication network.
The RealClear Samizdat Prize honors those who embody the spirit of last century’s Samizdat literary heroes. We celebrate the journalists and public figures who exhibit unwavering commitment to truth and free speech.
Host Committee Sponsors
Elizabeth Ailes
Apricity Foundation
ATHOS
Carl Schramm & Ellyn Brown
Chronicles
Jeff Cunningham
DonorsTrust
Freedom Foundation
Jack Fowler
John K. Garvey
Scott D. Hayworth, MD &
Hon. Nan A.S. Hayworth, MD
Keybridge Communications
MediaPedia
Gerry Ohrstrom
Tom Rastin
The Jonathan & Evelyn Rose Silverman Family
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Smith
David & Laura Thayer
George Tidmarsh
The Honorable Hal Valeche
Real Clear media fund
RealClear Media Fund, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, in partnership with RealClear Media Group, supports journalistic efforts that strengthen America’s experiment in self-government, fulfilling the Fourth Estate’s constitutionally protected mission of searching for truth and reporting it without fear or favor.
Highlights from the 2025 Gala
Behind the Scenes
Stories of Censorship
Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” hosts a panel with the winner’s of RealClearPolitics Samizdat Prize including Abigail Shrier, Jonathan Turley & Linda Yaccarino for their bravery in resisting censorship.
Photos from the Dinner
Photos from the Red Carpet
Photos from the Reception
