The German journalist who uncovered the corruption in Eurostat has been awarded the 2004 Leipzig Prize for the Freedom and Future of the Media.

Hans-Martin Tillack, the former Brussels correspondent for Stern, shared the honour with Seymour Hersh of the New Yorker, Britta Petersen of FT Deutschland and Anna Politkovskaya of Novaya Gazeta.

Tillack reported on corruption and democratic deficits in the EU institutions. During his investigation of Eurostat, Tillack was arrested by Belgian police on charges of bribing officials. the case is ongoing.