Rosa María Calaf Awarded 2026 National Television Prize

The Ministry of Culture has awarded the 2026 National Television Prize to Rosa María Calaf. More than just honoring an individual career, the 30,000-euro award celebrates the evolution of international journalism in Spain. Calaf set the standard for foreign reporting at a time when women were rarely seen in RTVE newsrooms or working as foreign correspondents.

The jury, led by Minister Ernest Urtasun, praised Calaf for transforming how news is presented on television. Throughout her time in major cities like Beijing, Moscow, New York, Buenos Aires, Rome, Vienna, and Hong Kong, she became known for a unique approach that balanced high-level politics with everyday social issues. She did more than just witness the major geopolitical shifts of the last 50 years; she also brought topics to public television that were previously ignored by mainstream media, such as the visibility of sexual diversity.

This award reflects how reporting has changed in Spain. Calaf’s work was essential in showing that television images could be used to tell deeper, more meaningful stories. Her career, which spanned from the analog era to the modern age of foreign correspondence, serves as an inspiration for new generations of journalists. By honoring her, the Ministry is recognizing not just an impressive resume, but a commitment to independent, on-the-ground reporting that has made Calaf a cornerstone of Spanish media history.