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Gazan journalists awarded Press Freedom prize
ON THIS grimmest of World Press Freedom Days, Palestinian journalists covering Gaza have been awarded the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
"In these times of darkness and hopelessness, we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition to those Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such dramatic circumstances. As humanity, we have a huge debt to their courage and commitment to freedom of expression," said Mauricio Weibel, Chair of the international jury of media professionals that decides on the award - which is given by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The award is named for Guillermo Cano Isaza, the Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of the offices of his newspaper El Espectador in Bogotá, Colombia, on 17 December 1986.
It was accepted on behalf of journalists in Gaza by Nasser Abu Baker, president of the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate (PJS) and vice-president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on 2 May at the World Press Freedom Conference in Santiago, Chile.
At least 103 journalists and media workers have been confirmed killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza since 7 October 2023: we had to add one name to our list of the fallen today. Rest in peace, Saher Akram Rayyan.
On the day itself, 3 May, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: "When we lose a journalist, we lose our eyes and ears to the outside world. We lose a voice for the voiceless. We lose, in fact, a human rights defender.
"We need independent, ethical and quality journalism perhaps now more than ever. On the climate crisis - and on all crises - journalists serve as the ultimate allies in human rights. Because in their pursuit of facts, evidence and accountability, we have one of our best hopes to build societies based on truth and trust." The Freelance recommends the whole speech.
World Press Freedom Day unesco.org
World Press Freedom Day nuj.org.uk