Credits: Kyaw Soe/taz panterstiftung

Harald Welzer giving the laudatory speech

Annegret Falter giving the welcome

Alexander von Bismarck from the Environmental Investigation Agency

Owen Pinnell from the BBC

Some impressions from the award ceremony 2026. More and the moving acceptence speech of Andrés Olarte, read by Alexander von Bismarck: ellsberg-award.org/awardee-2026...

Today, we celebrate courage. 7pm CET. 📡 Livestream from Berlin: youtube.com/live/DY8oBZU...

In sectors where the environment, the climate, and human rights are at stake, whistleblowers and investigative journalism remain essential for accountability.

Behind most major environmental investigation, someone decided silence was not an option. Andrés Olarte is one of them. Ellsberg Whistleblower Award 2026.
Watch full BBC Documentary: Exposing the toxic record of Colombia's oil giant
tinyurl.com/46xy26uw

Graphic stating that 328,881 records in the Iguana Papers are marked “NO CUMPLIDO” (“Not fulfilled”), indicating widespread unmet obligations. A magnifying glass highlights rows in a spreadsheet showing repeated non-compliance entries linked to Ecopetrol’s environmental reporting duties in Colombia.

The #IguanaPapers reveal an internal Ecopetrol database of 328,881 records where environmental obligations are marked “NOT FULFILLED”. Not isolated errors, but a structural pattern of non-compliance.
eia.org/the-iguana-p...
Database: tinyurl.com/w7y54ux8

A graphic shows a map of Colombia marked with colored pins indicating oil facilities, alongside text stating that seven oil spills were never reported to authorities and alleging that Ecopetrol hid many more, citing the “Iguana Papers” as evidence. The background features a photo of oil-contaminated water, with a legend listing facility names and the website ellsberg-award.org displayed at the bottom.

7 oil spills. Never reported, a fraction of what internal records reveal. In 2016–2017, 89% of environmental incidents were hidden from official reports. Oil spreads. Silence doesn't erase contamination. Mar 12: Andrés Olarte receives the Ellsberg Whistleblower Award.
👉 tinyurl.com/wu784f6a

Ecopetrol, Colombia: 2,000+ oil spills (2015–2022)
That’s 285 per year!
Why isn’t a multi-billion-dollar company fixing this?
When regulators fail, the public needs whistleblowers
and journalists. Andrés Olarte will receive the Ellsberg Whistleblower Award 2026
👉Register: tinyurl.com/wu784f6a

Founded by Wau Holland Foundation,
@whistleblowernet.bsky.social, taz Panter, and Logan Foundation, it's supported by: amabhungane.bsky.social, AFRICMIL, @apublica.org , @972mag.com, @mekomit.bsky.social,
@poderlatam.bsky.social, @pplaaf.bsky.social, OjoPublico

Afterwards Get Together and Drinks!
Register here: pretix.eu/panter/whist...
More infos: ellsberg-award.org/awardee-2026...
In cooperation with @reporter-ohne-grenzen.de

Umweltverbrechen in Kolumbien: Einmal Whistleblower, immer Whistleblower Der deutsch-kolumbianische Ingenieur Andrés Olarte wird für seine Enthüllung von Umweltverbrechen mit dem Ellsberg Whistleblower Award ausgezeichnet.

Ellsberg Whistleblower Award 2026 in the taz (in German):

Umweltverbrechen in Kolumbien: Einmal Whistleblower, immer Whistleblower taz.de/Umweltverbre...

Colombia: Whistleblower Testifies To Appalling Reprisals By Oil Giant Ecopetrol - Climate Whistleblowers Andrés Olarte Wins Ellsberg Whistleblower Award, Recognising His Courage In The Face Of Intimidation Paris, December 9th, 2025 – Andrés Olarte, who exposed massive environmental crimes and human right...

1/ #Colombia🇨🇴: "What I want is real change regarding systematic environmental crimes and violence against environmental leaders. Ecopetrol and the hydrocarbons industry need to deeply reconsider how they operate in Colombia."

🧶⬇️

Caso Iguana Papers: "Hubo engaño a las autoridades colombianas" YouTube video by DW Español

Awardee of the Ellsberg Award 2026 on Deutsche Welle TV: Caso Iguana Papers: "Hubo engaño a las autoridades colombianas"
youtu.be/yQU4K4FEvsQ?...

Founded by Wau Holland Foundation, @whistleblowernet.bsky.social , taz Panter, and Logan Foundation, it's supported by: amabhungane.bsky.social, AFRICMIL, @apublica.org , @972mag.com , @mekomit.bsky.social , @poderlatam.bsky.social , @pplaaf.bsky.social , OjoPublico

The jury has chosen Andrés Olarte Peña for the 2026 Award. After all other channels failed, he shared documents pointing to evidence of #Ecopetrol’s pollution, cover-ups, and actions against activists. Investigations by @eia-news.bsky.social & BBC. Press release: ellsberg-award.org/awardee-2026/

Thank you for the interesting nominations so far! Today is the last day that nominations are open. Fortunately, even in difficult times, there are courageous people around the world who follow their conscience. They all deserve our respect and support ❣️

Our call for nominations is open until September 26 and now in the Reva and David Logan Foundations newsletter ellsberg-award.org/get-involved...
loganfdn.org/subscribe-to...

PPLAAF (@pplaaf.bsky.social) The Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa seeks to defend whistleblowers, as well as strategically litigate and advocate on their behalf where their disclosures speak to the public interest of ...

Founded by Wau Holland Foundation, Whistleblower Netzwerk, taz Panter, and Logan Foundation, it's supported by:
amabhungane.bsky.social, AFRICMIL, @apublica.org, @972mag.com, @mekomit.bsky.social, @poderlatam.bsky.social, @pplaaf.bsky.social, OjoPublico

Whistleblowers risk much to bring truth to light – often without recognition. Time to make their voices heard! Nominations are open. Sharing or donating is appreciated 😉 💡 Who would you suggest? 👉 ellsberg-award.org/nominate-for... #Whistleblower #EWA

Daniel Ellsberg’s legacy lives on.
Full film at: ellsberg-award.org/the-ellsberg...
Discover the story behind the Ellsberg Whistleblower Award – honoring those who speak truth to power.

#DanielEllsberg #EllsbergAward #Whistleblower