Dawn Editor Zaffar Abbas set to receive press freedom award

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 6 years ago

NEW YORK — The CPJ will honor six exceptional journalists for their bravery at the 2019 International Press Freedom Awards on November 21, 2019, in New York City.

This year’s awardees have experienced an array of threats in connection to their work, from targeted state-backed online harassment in Brazil to legal threats and detention in Tanzania, to physical threats and drawn-out court battles in India.

Two of the winners, Lucía Pineda Ubau and Miguel Mora, journalists at Nicaraguan news outlet 100% Noticias, were jailed in December 2018 in connection with their coverage of political unrest in the country. They were finally freed in June.

CPJ will present the 2019 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award to Zaffar Abbas. He is the editor of Dawn, Pakistan's leading daily newspaper, and has decades of experience as a reporter in Pakistan. — By CPJ

Dive Deeper

Dawn’s AI gaffe highlights challenges, not the collapse of journalism

November 13, 2025: Dawn’s AI blunder sparks debate, but experts say it reflects newsroom challenges and independence, not a crisis of journalism in Pakistan.

Dawn apologizes after AI editing prompt mistakenly published in business story

November 12, 2025: Dawn apologizes after an AI editing prompt mistakenly appeared in a business story, prompting debate on newsroom AI use and media credibility in Pakistan.

JournalismPakistan launches ‘Once Upon a Newsroom’ to preserve the legacy of The Muslim newspaper

November 11, 2025: JournalismPakistan announces 'Once Upon a Newsroom', a storytelling series celebrating Pakistan’s newsroom heritage, beginning with The Muslim, the now-defunct independent daily from Islamabad.

Pakistani media in turmoil as job cuts, censorship, and silence from unions deepen crisis

November 09, 2025: Pakistan’s media reels under layoffs, censorship, and union silence as journalists face attacks, fake news, and closures, deepening a nationwide media crisis.

JournalismPakistan unveils new tagline marking global expansion

November 08, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches its new tagline, Linking Journalism Worldwide, reflecting global expansion beyond Pakistan with Asia, World, and Middle East coverage.

Veteran journalist Javed Iqbal Jaidi bids farewell after long health battle

November 08, 2025: Veteran journalist Javed Iqbal Jaidi passes away in Shorkot after a long illness. Friends remember his humor, humility, and lifelong dedication to journalism.

JournalismPakistan.com launches dedicated Middle East section to deepen regional media coverage

November 07, 2025: JournalismPakistan.com launches a Middle East section to expand regional reporting. New coverage will follow JP’s editorial SOPs—verification, balanced sourcing, and two-stage review.

Russia slams Pakistan’s Frontier Post for ‘Western bias’; newspaper hits back

November 07, 2025: Russia accuses Pakistan’s Frontier Post of anti-Russia bias; the paper defends press freedom and independence. A diplomatic clash over media narratives.

Newsroom

Nigeria jails journalists amid cybercrime law concerns

November 15, 2025 Three Nigerian journalists are detained under the Cybercrime Act despite 2024 reforms, raising concerns for press freedom ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sami Hamdi returns to UK following U.S. detention over Gaza comments

November 14, 2025 British commentator Sami Hamdi returns to the UK after a U.S. visa cancellation and detention during a Gaza speaking tour, highlighting free speech and press freedom concerns.

Fiona O’Brien appointed CPJ Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia

November 14, 2025 Fiona O’Brien named CPJ Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, strengthening press freedom advocacy amid rising global threats to journalists.

Japanese publishers file AI copyright lawsuits, pressing industry-wide legal reforms

November 14, 2025 Japanese publishers launch AI copyright lawsuits, pushing for stricter licensing rules and reshaping how media content can be used to train AI models.

OSCE hosts Central Asia Media Conference on Sustainability and Press Freedom

November 14, 2025 OSCE hosts the 25th Central Asia Media Conference in Tashkent, focusing on media sustainability, resilience, regulatory challenges, and cross-border cooperation for independent journalism.