Three brave women journalists who have risked their lives covering the news have been named the International Women’s Media Foundation’s 2011 Courage in Journalism Award winners.
Withstanding danger, threats and political pressure, Adela Navarro Bello of Mexico, Parisa Hafezi of Iran and Chiranuch Premchaiporn of Thailand have shown extraordinary dedication covering violence, corruption and social unrest in their countries.
“We are proud to recognize these brave women, who endure the most incredible trials to shed light on the events vital to the nations in which they live,” said IWMF Executive Director Liza Gross. “They exemplify the crucial role of the press in society.”
The 2011 Courage in Journalism Award winners — who will be officially honored in Los Angeles and New York in October – are:
Adela Navarro Bello
Adela Navarro Bello, Courage in Journalism Award
Adela Navarro Bello, general director and columnist for Zeta news magazine in Mexico, who reports on the escalating violence and corruption in the border city of Tijuana. Navarro Bello, 42, has refused to remain silent, despite repeated warnings that she is being targeted by drug cartels.
Parisa Hafezi
Parisa Hafezi, Courage in Journalism Award
Parisa Hafezi, bureau chief for Reuters in Iran, has been beaten, harassed and detained while covering public opposition to the government. Hafezi, 41, is under constant surveillance. Government officials have raided her home and office and threatened to take away her two daughters.
Chiranuch Premchaiporn
Chiranuch Premchaiporn, Courage in Journalism Award
Chiranuch Premchaiporn, director and webmaster of Prachatai online newspaper in Thailand. Premchaiporn, 43, faces up to 70 years in prison for anti-government comments posted on her website. She has been repeatedly arrested, her offices have been raided and her website has been blocked multiple times by the Thai government.
Kate Adie
Kate Adie, Lifetime Achievement Award
Kate Adie, a veteran broadcast journalist, has been presented with the IWMF’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Adie, a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s “From Our Own Correspondent,” has covered the world for more than 40 years, reporting breaking news from Tiananmen Square and Lockerbie to Sierra Leone and Belgrade. Adie, 65, was the BBC’s first chief news correspondent and has paved the way for future generations of journalists.
“We at the IWMF are thrilled to honor these extraordinary journalists who have risked everything to tell the important stories of their time and place,” said Judy Woodruff of the PBS NewsHour, IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards chair. “We are also pleased to honor Kate Adie for her remarkable career at the forefront of her craft.”
The Courage in Journalism Awards honor women journalists who have shown extraordinary strength of character and integrity while reporting under dangerous circumstances. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a woman journalist who has a pioneering spirit and whose determination has forged inroads for women in the news media. Including this year’s honorees, 72 journalists have won Courage Awards and 20 journalists have been honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The awards will be presented at ceremonies in Los Angeles on Oct. 24 and in New York on Oct. 27