New Delhi: The 2024 Canada-UK Media Freedom Award was presented Saturday to independent Afghan journalists and media organizations for their courageous reporting in the face of the restrictions brought by the Taliban since its takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.
The award was presented by the Foreign Minister of Canada, Mélanie Joly, and Lord Collins of Highbury, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Africa of the United Kingdom, during the High-Level Week of the United Nations General Assembly.
“Media freedom remains essential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms around the world. These independent journalists and media organizations are giving a voice to people whose voices are being silenced. Canada will continue to support them, together with our partners,” Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada said.
Afghan journalists work bravely in a difficult climate to report on significant issues affecting Afghanistan under Taliban rule, including human rights violations and the plight of women and girls, including forced marriages and bans on education, a UK government press release stated. The award is a clear indicator of the commitment of Canada and the United Kingdom to support independent and free journalism.