September 28, 2024
New York, USA – The 2024 Canada-U.K. Media Freedom Award was presented to independent Afghan journalists and media organizations in recognition of their courageous reporting, despite the severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban.
The award was presented on September 27 by Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Lord Collins of Highbury, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the United Kingdom, to Lotfullah Najafizada, CEO of Amu TV, acknowledging his fellow independent Afghan journalists and media organizations.
Established in 2020, the Canada-U.K. Media Freedom Award recognizes individuals and organizations that champion freedom of speech and democracy. Previous recipients include the Belarusian Association of Journalists (2020), Vietnamese journalist Pham Doan Trang (2022), and the Egyptian online newspaper Mada Masr (2023).
The announcement of the 2024 award coincides with the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week and marks the fifth anniversary of the Media Freedom Coalition, co-founded by the U.K. and Canada, which now boasts over 50 member countries.
In a press release, the Government of Canada stated: “Every day, independent Afghan journalists and media organizations provide a platform for uncensored information and hope in Afghanistan, despite the severe repression brought by the Taliban since August 2021. Independent reporters and media organizations navigate the risks posed by the Taliban's harsh crackdown on journalism, working bravely to ensure the continuation of a free press in a challenging climate. They report on significant issues affecting Afghanistan under Taliban rule, including human rights violations and the plight of women and girls, with particular emphasis on forced marriages and bans on education.”
Mélanie Joly remarked, “We commend the independent Afghan journalists and media organizations working courageously and tirelessly to provide the world with timely information and thoughtful analysis about the situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Media freedom is essential to protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms globally. These independent journalists give a voice to those whose voices are being silenced. Canada will continue to support them alongside our partners.”
Lord Collins of Highbury echoed these sentiments, stating, “Despite the many restrictions they face, these courageous Afghan journalists have developed innovative methods to deliver accurate, timely, and vital information to the Afghan people, particularly regarding the plight of women and girls. They play a critical role in preserving the truth. The U.K. remains committed to media freedom and to championing human rights and democracy globally.”
Lotfullah Najafizada expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am deeply honored to accept this award on behalf of courageous Afghan journalists who continue to fight for truth amid overwhelming oppression. This recognition honors the unwavering spirit of those risking their lives to share the stories of their people and serves as a call to action for the global community to support their resilience."
This marks the first time the Canada-U.K. Joint Media Freedom Award has been conferred upon independent Afghan journalists since its inception in 2020.
The Canada-U.K. Media Freedom Award was established in 2020, with previous recipients including the Belarusian Association of Journalists (2020), Vietnamese journalist Pham Doan Trang (2022), and the Egyptian online newspaper Mada Masr (2023). Canada and the United Kingdom co-founded the global Media Freedom Coalition in 2019, which now includes 51 countries. Afghanistan joined the coalition in 2020, but its membership was suspended in 2021 due to the Taliban's severe restrictions on media freedom and the threats to the security and well-being of journalists and media workers in the country.
Afghanistan Journalists Center(AFJC) welcomes the recognition of Afghan journalists and independent media organizations and urges the Taliban government to honor the fundamental rights of journalists and media outlets as outlined in the country's Media Law. AFJC calls for an end to all restrictions that hinder the ability of journalists and media outlets to operate freely, without fear, threats, or self-censorship.