Courage in Journalism
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger
This week two very emotional and touching award ceremonies were held in the world of journalism.
In Los Angeles on October 24th and in New York City on October 27th, the International Women’s Journalism Foundation’s ‘Courage in Journalism Awards’were held. Through this event, four courageous women who risked their lives covering the news were honored.
National Presenting Sponsor was corporate giant, Bank of America. East Coast Chair was Bloomberg News and West Coast Chair was Walmart Stores.
Actor Aaron Eckhart presented BBC’s Katie Adie who has reported from dangerous war zones throughout the world with the International Women’s Media Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award on October 24th at The Beverly Hills Hotel in L.A. ABC’s Nightline anchor, Cynthia McFadden, was the Mistress of Ceremonies at the dinner following the awards. Other presenters include Robin Givens, ABC News Senior Foreign Affairs Correspondent, Martha Raddatz and Omnilife – Chivas Angelica Fuentes Tellez.
ADELA NAVARRO BELLO
These reporters put their lives on the line to bring us the news on a daily basis.
The award ceremony took place in New York City on October 27th at a luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and the four brave journalists were once again honored. Mistress of Ceremonies at this ceremony was International Women’s Media Foundation Courage Co-Chair, Judy Woodruff from PBS Newshour. The awards were presented by ABC’s Good Morning America anchor, George Stephanopoulos, Jordan Media Institute Founder HRH Princess Rym Ali, Bloomberg News White House Correspondent Julianna Goldman and Chief U.S. Correspondent for the Middle East Broadcasting TV, Nadia Bilbassy-Charters.
PARISA HAFEZI
To display gratitude on the part of our nation, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered a videotaped message at both locations.
The journalists who were the recipients of the evening are Adela Navarro Bello threatened by Mexican drug cartels that she reports on, Parisa Hafezi of Iran who has been abducted, assaulted and interrogated in her own country, Chiranuch Premchaiporn facing a 20-year prison sentence for failing to delete critical comments about Thai monarchy on her website and Kate Adie who’s significant story was covering the Tiananmen Square Massacre. All women expressed the sentiment that reporting is a privilege and a responsibility to inform the public.
CHIRANUCH PREMCHAIPORN
Freedom of speech is one of the most important beliefs in the world of Journalism and something that should not easily be deprived of by reporters. We honor these four women and they truly are great mentors to all of us that are part of the world of journalism.
KATE ADIE
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