The M100 Sanssouci Media Award 2007 was awarded to the musician, Africa activist and founder of Live AID, Bob Geldof.
The prize-giving ceremony took place as part of the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium in Potsdam at the Schloss Theatre of the Neue Palais on 7 September 2007. The award was given by the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium Board in recognition of his personal service to the causes of freedom and human relief and especially the struggle against poverty and disease in Africa. The laudatio was given by Giovanni di Lorenzo, publisher of the weekly “Die Zeit“. Geldof is “a do-gooder in the best sense of the word“, said di Lorenzo in his speech and particularly emphasised his personal commitment to peace, humanitarian aid and his fight against poverty in Africa. In his acceptance speech Bob Geldof called upon Germany to play a leading role in overcoming poverty. This country and its economy had still not yet recognised the enormous significance of the African continent.
The Federal Interior Minister Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU) in his speech beforehand had warned the media against coverage that was simply sensational rather than factual.
The M100 Media Award, presented for the third time within the context of the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium, the international media gathering in Potsdam, honours European personalities who have left their footprint in Europe and the world. The unendowed prize recognises the prizewinner’s service to the safeguearding of freedom of expression as well as their outstanding achievements in promoting understanding and communication. In 2005 the laureate was Norman Foster and last year the physician and politician Dr. Bernard Kouchner, founder of “Médecins Sans Frontières” and currently French Foreign Minister, was honoured.