Honoring tenacity and courage
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 13 September 2012
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The Committee to Protect Journalists honors four journalists for their courage in reporting abuses of power. The awards will be presented in New York City.Summary
NEW YORK: Four journalists who risked their lives and liberty to reveal abuses of power and human rights violations in Brazil, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Liberia will be honored with the Committee to Protect Journalists' 2012 International Press Freedom Awards, an annual recognition of courageous reporting.
The awardees - Mauri König (Gazeta do Povo, Brazil), Mae Azango (FrontPage Africa and New Narratives, Liberia), and jailed journalists Dhondup Wangchen (Filming for Tibet, China) and Azimjon Askarov (Ferghana News and Golos Svobody, Kyrgyzstan) - have faced severe reprisals for their work, including assault, threats, and torture.
Askarov is serving a life sentence in connection with his coverage of official corruption, and Wangchen is serving a six-year prison term following his documentation of Tibetan life under Chinese rule.
"We are inspired by these journalists who have paid a high price for their enduring dedication to the truth," said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. "Two - Azimjon Askarov and Dhondup Wangchen - have actually been arrested and jailed for their critical reporting. We will not rest until they are free."
CPJ will present Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom, with the Burton Benjamin Memorial Award for lifetime achievement in the cause of press freedom.
All of the winners will be honored at CPJ's annual awards dinner in New York City on November 20, 2012.
Key Points
- Four journalists to be awarded for their bravery in reporting human rights violations.
- Awardees include Mauri König, Mae Azango, and jailed journalists Dhondup Wangchen and Azimjon Askarov.
- Askarov serves a life sentence for reporting on corruption, while Wangchen is jailed for documenting Tibetan life.
- CPJ's Executive Director praises their dedication to truth despite severe reprisals.
- The awards ceremony will be held on November 20, 2012, in New York City.
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