The Maldives Independent and its former editor Zaheena Rasheed have been named the winners of Index on Censorship’s 2017 Freedom of Expression Journalism Award.
The award celebrates groups or individuals who have had impact in fighting censorship, according to the London-based free speech group.
They were presented in four categories on Wednesday in London.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, a judge for the 2017 awards, hailed the Maldives Independent for continuing to report despite the hostile environment for press freedom in the country.
“Maldives Independent under the stewardship of Zaheena Rasheed has faced attacks from all sides in recent years and despite all that they’ve continued to do what they do best: tell stories, expose corruption, expose human rights abuses and attacks on a free press,” she said.
The award comes with a yearlong fellowship that offers tailored support that includes media training and fundraising advice.
Zaheena described the award as a “lifeline”.
“This recognition and the fellowship has renewed and strengthened our resolve… Most importantly, we no longer feel so alone,” she said.
Other winners were: Chinese political cartoonist Rebel Pepper in the Arts category, Russian human rights activist Ildar Dadin in Campaigning, and digital collective Turkey Blocks in Digital Activism.
Finalists in the Journalism category included Dagestan’s Daptar, Iranian journalist Behrouz Boochani, Serbia’s Crime and Corruption Reporting Network (KRIK).
“These winners are free speech heroes who deserve global recognition,” said Jodie Ginsberg, Index CEO. “They, like all of those nominated, face huge personal and political hurdles in their fight so that others can express themselves freely.”
Judges included Harry Potter actor Noma Dumezweni, Hillsborough lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown, as well as Anab Jain, TED fellow and co-founder of Superflux, and Stephen Budd, chairman of the Music Managers Forum.
Congratulations to everyone, it’s a team effort I’m sure
Many thanks and congratulations to Maldives Independent and its awardwinning former editor Zaheena Rasheed and others.
Surely, one day soon, Maldives will be free.
Thank you for publishing all my comments without censorship or omission so that others, in Maldives, in less fortunate and less lucky circumstances than me, can hear and read what I have to say.
There have been calls, even from Maldivians, not to publish my comments. Minivan News and its successor Maldives Independent never listened to them.
All my comments on Maldives have been published. Thank you very much. I appreciate it very much deeply and very greatly.
Goodbye not yet.
Until we meet again.
Congratulations to Ms Rasheed and Maldives Independent for winning the award. It is well-deserved.
Thank you also for publishing my comments; you have been very supportive of my writing. I am not a seasoned writer and I am grateful for the chance to publish my thoughts about the Maldives.
I appreciate that the last few years have been extremely difficult for you all and admire the way you have got on with the job of allowing people to have a voice. Well done and here’s hoping that this award is the beginning of a new and a safer future.
Kind regards.
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