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.