The 32nd annual Press Freedom Prize ceremony by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) will recognise extraordinary achievements in journalism worldwide on 4 December 2024 at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington DC.
The event will be hosted by Lulu Garcia-Navarro, journalist and New York Times Magazine co-host, with notable speakers including NPR’s Michel Martin and French actress Aïssa Maïga, whose father, Malian journalist Mohamed Maïga, disappeared 40 years ago for his work.
This year’s prize categories include RSF’s four established awards—courage, impact, independence, and the Lucas Dolega-SAIF Photo Prize—as well as a new award, the Prize for African Investigative Journalism – Mohamed Maïga.
The shortlist features 25 candidates from 22 countries, encompassing individuals and teams of journalists, photographers, and media organisations who have demonstrated a commitment to defending press freedom in challenging environments.
Courage Prize Nominees
The courage prize category recognises journalists who continue to work in the face of extreme danger. Among the five nominees is Waël al-Dahdouh, Al Jazeera’s Gaza desk head, who has continued reporting despite losing his wife, grandson, and three children to Israeli strikes. He sustained injuries in December from an Israeli drone strike that also killed his cameraman, Samer Abu Daqqa.
Carmen Joukhadar, Al Jazeera’s Lebanon correspondent, is also a nominee. She was injured in the 13 October 2023 Israeli strike that killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah but returned to report from Southern Lebanon, advocating for journalist safety in conflict zones.
Other nominees include Ruan Xiaohuan, a Chinese blogger known as “Program Think,” sentenced to seven years for exposing Communist Party corruption; Iranian journalists with Iran International and BBC Persian, who face continuous harassment by the Iranian government; and Gustavo Gorriti from Peru, who has faced violence and legal battles for his investigative work.
Impact Prize Nominees
This award recognises journalists who drive significant social or political impact through their work. Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza has brought the realities of the Gaza war to over 18 million followers on Instagram, documenting the devastating impact of the conflict. Also nominated is Burundian journalist Floriane Irangabiye, who was pardoned in August after two years in prison for reporting critical of her government.
Vietnamese journalist Huy Duc, detained in June 2024 for his commentary on political unrest, and Ukrainian journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk, whose NGO investigated Russian war crimes, are also contenders. Sota.Vision, an independent Russian outlet, rounds out the nominees, enduring harassment for its reporting on repression in Russia.
Independence Prize Nominees
In this category, RSF highlights journalists dedicated to impartial reporting despite heavy political and financial pressures. Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala from the Democratic Republic of Congo was detained for six months for refusing to disclose sources. Hong Kong Free Press, a rare independent media outlet in Hong Kong, is also shortlisted for maintaining its editorial integrity despite repression from Beijing.
Indian journalist Ravish Kumar has resisted government influence to reach a massive audience through YouTube. Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who faced prosecution in Russia for “discrediting the army,” and Anora Sarkorova, a Tajik journalist in exile, complete the list of nominees for their dedication to independent journalism.
Prize for African Investigative Journalism – Mohamed Maïga
This new award honours African journalists whose investigative work confronts issues important to Mohamed Maïga, such as human rights and the environment. Nominees include Mali’s David Dembélé, known for his work on corruption; Mariam Ouédraogo from Burkina Faso, whose reporting on gender violence has gained international acclaim; and Nigerian journalist Bakare Majeed, whose exposé on parliamentary corruption led to significant political repercussions. Other nominees are Stephen Nartey of Ghana, for his undercover investigations, and Noël Konan from Ivory Coast, who has reported on government corruption despite threats.
Lucas Dolega-SAIF Photo Prize Nominees
The photojournalism prize honours visual storytelling that raises awareness about crises around the world. Laurence Geai of France is nominated for “Les enfants perdus du Califat,” her series on children held in Syrian refugee camps. Diego Ibarra Sanchez’s “The Hidden War” focuses on the overlooked impact of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict on Lebanese communities. Other nominees include French photographer Antoine Lallican, who documented the conflict in Donbass, and Russian photographer Sergey Ponomarev, whose work on the West Bank showcases the humanitarian toll of ongoing tensions.
Gael Turine of Belgium, known for his photography series on Philadelphia’s opioid crisis, rounds out the list of nominees. Turine’s work, “The Ravages of Tranq Dope,” highlights the devastation caused by a highly potent synthetic opioid in the United States.
The Jury
The 2024 RSF Press Freedom Prize jury includes renowned journalists and advocates for free speech, led by RSF President Pierre Haski. Jury members include Rana Ayyub, Indian journalist and Washington Post columnist; Syrian media lawyer Mazen Darwish; Zaina Erhaim, Syrian journalist and communications consultant; and others from diverse backgrounds who bring expertise in both investigative journalism and advocacy for press freedom.
This year’s nominees showcase the resilience and impact of journalists working under repressive regimes, in conflict zones, and against censorship, underscoring the crucial role of independent journalism in defending human rights and democracy worldwide.
