Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) International Press Freedom Awards 2014

Every year since 1996, the CPJ chooses the best journalists based on their works. The CPJ promotes press freedom worldwide and defends the right of journalists to report news without fear of reprisal. The CPJ ensures free flow of news and commentary by taking action wherever journalists are attacked, imprisoned, killed, kidnapped, threatened, censored, or harassed.

This year, award winners are Burmese journalist Aung Zaw, whom the government considers “enemy of the state”, founder and editor-in-chief of The Irrawaddy, which has often been targeted for its critical reporting; Siamak Ghaderi, independent Iranian journalist who has recently been released after four years in prison, former reporter for IRNA, the Islamic Republic’s official news agency; Mikhail Zygar, editor-in-chief of the Russian channel Dozhd (one of the few media not controlled by the government), who is fighting for press freedom in Russia; and Ferial Haffajee, the editor-in-chief of City Press in South Africa and former editor-in-chief of the Mail & Guardian, who constantly suffers attacks against herself and her staff.
 
All of the winners will be honored at the CPJ's annual award and benefit dinner in New York City on November 25, 2014.