CPJ’s 2017 International Press Freedom Awards
CPJ’s annual International Press Freedom Awards and benefit dinner honored courageous journalists from around the world on November 15, 2017, in New York City.
The dinner was hosted by Christiane Amanpour, chief international correspondent for CNN and CPJ senior advisor. The 2017 dinner chairman was David Rhodes, president of CBS News. Actor and activist Meryl Streep addressed the attendees.
CPJ’s 2017 IPFA honorees are:
Ahmed Abba, Cameroon
Ahmed Abba, a correspondent for Radio France Internationale’s Hausa service, has been jailed since 2015. He was convicted in 2017 on terrorism-related charges in connection with his reporting.
Patricia Mayorga, Mexico
Patricia Mayorga, who covers human rights and other issues for the Mexican newsmagazine Proceso, was forced to flee Chihuahua state after receiving threats in relation to her reporting.
Pravit Rojanaphruk, Thailand
Pravit Rojanaphruk is one of Thailand’s most prominent reporters and a longtime advocate for press freedom. He has maintained his critical tone and probing reporting style despite being under military threat.
Afrah Nasser, Yemen
Afrah Nasser is an award-winning exiled Yemeni blogger who reports from Sweden on human rights violations, women’s issues, and press freedom in Yemen.
Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award Winner
CPJ’s Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award is presented annually to an individual who has shown extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom.
Originally the Burton Benjamin Memorial Award, it was renamed in 2017 to honor the veteran journalist and former CPJ board member who died in late 2016.
(AFP/Getty Images/Jamie McCarthy)
Judy Woodruff
Judy Woodruff is a broadcast journalist and the managing editor of “PBS NewsHour,” a show she anchored since 2013 with her co-host, Gwen Ifill, the late journalist for whom this award is named.