Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was released from wrongful detention in Russia in a historic prisoner swap in August, is among the journalists to be honored with an International Press Freedom Award.
The other honorees include Palestinian journalist Shrouq Al Aila, Guatemalan journalist Quimy de León, and Samira Sabou from Niger, the Committee to Protect Journalists, or CPJ, announced Thursday.
“CPJ’s International Press Freedom Awardees symbolize the vital work carried out by reporters everywhere to report facts in the face of fierce attempts to suppress truth,” CPJ chief executive Jodie Ginsberg said in a statement. “In what has been a devastating year for journalists and for press freedom, it is an honor to stand with them.”
Kurmasheva, an editor at VOA’s sister outlet Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Prague, was jailed for more than nine months on dubious charges in Russia. The American-Russian journalist told VOA on her release that she is focused on her colleagues and other media workers who are still unjustly detained.
“This recognition from the Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply meaningful to me,” Kurmasheva said in a statement. “CPJ played a pivotal role in advocating for my release, and for that, I am eternally grateful. I’m honored to stand alongside three remarkable journalists whose stories of courage and resilience continue to inspire me.”
Al Aila is a Palestinian who reports from Gaza. She took charge of the independent production company Ain Media after her husband — who cofounded the company — was killed while covering the Israel-Hamas war.
The war has taken a severe toll on journalists. As of Wednesday, at least 116 journalists and media workers have been killed since the Hamas terror attack on October 7, according to CPJ. It marks the deadliest period for journalists since the press freedom group started keeping track in 1992.
Guatemala’s de León cofounded Prensa Comunitaria, a news outlet specializing in environmental and human rights issues. She also founded the digital magazine Ruda, which focuses on sexual and reproductive rights. For her work, de León has faced harassment from corporations and the government.
Sabou, from Niger, has faced arrests, detention and legal harassment over her reporting on the country’s government. The journalist is the president of the Association of Bloggers for Active Citizenship.
The New York-based CPJ will also posthumously honor Christophe Deloire, who served as director general of the Paris-based Reporters Without Borders. He died in June at the age of 53 due to complications from brain cancer.
Deloire will be honored with the 2024 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award, which CPJ’s board of directors presents annually in recognition of an individual’s commitment to press freedom.
“Christophe Deloire was a tireless advocate for media freedom and a strong partner in our efforts to help journalists globally,” CPJ Board Chair Jacob Weisberg said in a statement. “Honoring Christophe is recognition of his shining legacy and of all the journalists he supported throughout his career.”
The CPJ awards will be presented in New York City on November 21. John Oliver, host of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, will host the event, and Jessica Lessin, founder of the technology news outlet The Information, will chair.
