The Guardian's Executive Editor, Opinion, Jonathan Freedland was awarded the special prize for journalism for his writing, including articles on Margaret Thatcher and Pope Francis. Robin Lustig, a judge for the journalism prize, said of Freedland: "He has been on the shortlist of the Orwell prize seven times now. His writing has a lucidity and elegance of style that deserves reward."
Guardian Foreign correspondent Ghaith Abdul-Ahad won the Orwell prize for journalism for his work on the Syrian conflict, including a special report on a jihadist group effort to take control in the country. Lustig said: "He has shown great personal courage and a rare depth of understanding. He writes with deep compassion for those whose lives have been shattered by the conflict."
The winners were chosen from 235 entries to the book prize and 167 entries to the journalism prize.
