Azerbaijani reporter wins UNESCO PRESS Freedom Prize
Eynulla Fatullayev, an Azerbaijani journalist and human rights activist, has been named this year’s winner of UNESCO’s Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize awarded to those who promote freedom of expression, particularly at the risk of their own lives.
Fatullayev, 35, is the former editor and founder of the independent Russian-language weekly Realny Azerbaijan (Real Azerbaijan) and the Azeri-language Gundalik Azarbaycan (Azerbaijan Daily) newspapers.
Imprisoned in 2007, he was released last year by presidential pardon. Throughout his career, he unfailingly and steadfastly spoke out for freedom of the press and free expression, said UNESCO Director-General, Irina Bokova.
Fatullayev was nominated for the award by an independent international jury. (more…)
***
UNESCO and the Government of Tunisia will be co-organizing the main celebration of the World Press Freedom Day 2012 under the theme “New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Society” in Tunis, Tunisia, from 3 to 5 May 2012. One of the highlights of the celebration is the presentation of the UNESCO/ Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize.
Discussion paper on the them can be downloaded here.
***
RSF releases press freedom index for 2011/2012 (RSF/IFEX)
Syria, Bahrain and Yemen get worst ever rankings
“This year’s index sees many changes in the rankings, changes that reflect a year that was incredibly rich in developments, especially in the Arab world,” Reporters Without Borders said today as it released its 10th annual press freedom index. “Many media paid dearly for their coverage of democratic aspirations or opposition movements. Control of news and information continued to tempt governments and to be a question of survival for totalitarian and repressive regimes. The past year also highlighted the leading role played by netizens in producing and disseminating news.
FULL STORY AT: http://www.ifex.org/france/2012/01/26/
+++
Supreme Court Expands Freedom of Expression
A December 22 decision by the Supreme Court of Canada, involving suits against the Toronto Star and the Ottawa Citizen, gives journalists, and all communicators, a new defence against defamation. Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) calls it a victory for “responsible communications in the public interest.” (…more).
Top court expands freedoms for media (Toronto Star)
News media given wider protection (Ottawa Citizen / Canwest)
+++
CCWPF Concerned about Harassment
of American Journalist Amy Goodman
On Nov. 26, Goodman was stopped by Canadian Border Services while traveling to Vancouver. She was interrogated about the nature of her speech and repeatedly asked whether she intended to criticize the 2010 Winter Olympics. She was required to hand over her notes and had her computer searched.
(read corresponce from CCWPF to the Public Safety Minister)
and Amy Goodman’s account of the incident.
+++
Slain Sri Lankan journalist honoured with UN press freedom award
(April 6, 2009) Sri Lankan journalist and editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was assassinated on 8 January this year, has been named as the laureate of the 2009 World Press Freedom Prize by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
See UNESCO story
(Vigil for Wickrematunge) +++
Spencer Moore 1924 – 2008
The Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom Laments Passing of Spencer Moore
Ottawa, May 1, 2008 – It is with regret and sadness that we have learned today of the passing of Spencer Moore, broadcaster, past President of the National Press Club, and lifelong champion of world press freedom. Spencer will be greatly missed by his colleagues on the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom, of which he was founding President. The Committee will be among the legacies of this wonderful man, whose tireless enthusiasm and commitment to work toward a better world has been an inspiration to us all.
+++
2008 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize
awarded to Mexican reporter Lydia Cacho Ribeiro
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, today designated Lydia Cacho Ribeiro, a freelance reporter based in Cancun, Mexico, as the laureate of the 2008 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, on the basis of the recommendation of the international jury of the Prize.
Joe Thloloe, President of the jury of 14 professional journalists and editors from all over the world, and Press Ombudsman of the Press Council of South Africa, explained the choice of this year’s laureate:
“Members of the jury were impressed by the courage of Lydia Cacho Ribeiro as she continues to expose political corruption, organized crime and domestic violence in the face of death threats, an attempt on her life and legal battles. For me, a journalist who knows the antagonistic environment in which he or she operates and continues to do the right thing by keeping readers, listeners or viewers informed about their society deserves recognition for their contribution to freedom of expression around the world. Lydia Cacho is such a laureate.”
