[3][4] The judges who awarded the prize said: "Nahum Barnea is a journalist who almost every young writer aspires to emulate."

"[5] On 29 March 2007, he accepted an award from the president of Tel Aviv University for "his achievements and his unique contribution to the profession of journalism in Israel.

[6][7][11] Barnea identified Haaretz journalists Gideon Levy, Amira Hass, and Akiva Eldar as not passing the lynch test.

[15] In January 2011, MK Shelly Yachimovich claimed that Barnea insinuated that women might be responsible for turning themselves into sex objects by wearing provocative clothing, inviting rape.

Yachimovich also criticized Barnea for his "gentle" interview with former President Moshe Katzav, after his conviction for rape, and suggesting that the victims were to blame.

Barnea has published two collections of his articles, יורים ובוכים ("They shoot and cry") and ימי נתניהו ("Days of Netanyahu").