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Lawyer and human rights advocate Amal Clooney will receive the 2020 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) during an online ceremony on November 19.
The Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award is given annually to “individuals who have shown extraordinary achievement in the cause of press freedom,” CPJ said in a statement.
“This year’s awardee, Amal Clooney, has been a committed advocate for the rights of journalists, calling on world leaders to stand up for the press,” CPJ said.
Clooney has served as counsel for embattled journalists, including Rappler CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa, the 2018 Gwen Ifill Awardee.
Ressa, Rappler, and some of its directors and staff have faced at least 11 complaints and cases, mostly initiated by the government of President Rodrigo Duterte, following Rappler’s critical coverage of Duterte’s bloody drug war. (READ: LIST: Cases vs Maria Ressa, Rappler directors, staff since 2018)
Clooney had earlier urged Filipino tycoons and business leaders to protect the press in the Philippines to ensure a functioning democracy. She made the call at the 18th Management Association of the Philippines’ International CEO Web Conference on September 15, where she was among the speakers.
Ressa will interview Clooney as part of the ceremony. Meryl Streep, a vocal supporter of press freedom, will present the award to Clooney.
“In times of unprecedented uncertainty, it’s journalists who are out there, gathering the facts and trying to help us make sense of it all. By asking tough questions, and pursuing the truth at any cost, they are essential workers – serving the public and protecting democracy,” Streep said.
CPJ will also honor 4 journalists from Bangladesh, Iran, Nigeria and Russia who were arrested or faced criminal prosecution because of their work. CPJ said its 2020 International Press Freedom Awards mark its dedication to fighting for press freedom globally.
The 4 other awardees are:
- Renowned Bangladeshi photojournalist Shahidul Alam, imprisoned while covering protests in 2018
- Freelance Iranian reporter Mohammad Mosaed, recently sentenced to more than 4 years in prison and banned from practicing journalism
- Dapo Olorunyomi, co-founder, CEO, and publisher of the Nigerian newspaper Premium Times and longtime press freedom champion
- Svetlana Prokopyeva, a correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Russia who was convicted on charges of “justifying terrorism” in retaliation for comments she made on a radio show
“The pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges for journalists around the world, but we are heartened to have a moment to come together to celebrate their bravery. Our awardees exemplify the dedication of so many who fight against censorship every day to bring us the news, and I am inspired by them,” said Joel Simon, CPJ’s executive director.
The ceremony will be broadcast online at www.ipfa2020.org and major news outlets including NBC News, CBS News, and ABC News on November 19 at 8 pm EST.
NBC Nightly News’ anchor Lester Holt will host the ceremony and will be joined by other notable journalists such as CNN chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour, CBS News Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan, PBS NewsHour White House Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor, and ABC News World News Tonight anchor David Muir, among others. – Rappler.com
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