Ravish Kumar shortlisted by RSF for 2024 Press Freedom Awards
RSF has recognised Ravish Kumar for his unwavering commitment to fearless and truthful reporting
In a time when independent journalism in India faces growing challenges, the Paris-based press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has recognised Ravish Kumar for his unwavering commitment to fearless and truthful reporting. Shortlisted for the 2024 Press Freedom Award in the Independence category, Kumar’s work continues to highlight the critical role of a free press in defending democracy and holding power to account.
In a press statement, RSF announced that Ravish Kumar, along with 24 other journalists, teams, photographers and media outlets from across the globe, has been shortlisted for the Press Freedom Prize.
It adds that this year 18 journalist, journalist team, two media outlets and five photojournalists from 22 countries have been listed for the prize.
RSF says that there are five prize categories this year. Along with the four traditional prizes courage, impact, independence, and the Lucas Dolega-SAIF Photo Prize, a new Prize for African Investigative Journalism, named after Mohamed Maïga, has been added to honour his legacy and fight for social justice in Africa.
RSF says that in the Courage Prize category, those shortlisted include Waël al-Dahdouh (Palestine), head of Al Jazeera’s Gaza desk, who continued reporting despite personal loss in Israeli strikes; Carmen Joukhadar (Lebanon), Al Jazeera’s Lebanon correspondent, who returned to report despite being targetted in an Israeli attack; Ruan Xiaohuan (China), a blogger exposing corruption who was sentenced to seven years in prison for subversion; journalists from Iran International and BBC Persian, exiled due to severe threats from the Iranian government; and Gustavo Gorriti (Peru), founder of IDL-Reporteros, who continues investigative work despite death threats and attacks.
It adds that the impact prize recognises journalists whose work has significantly contributed to press freedom. Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza, with nearly 18 million Instagram followers, documented Gaza’s war realities until forced to flee after losing relatives in an airstrike. Burundian journalist Floriane Irangabiye faced imprisonment for her critical broadcasts on taboo topics and was later pardoned after nearly two years. Vietnamese journalist Huy Duc, known for his influential analyses on Vietnamese politics, was detained amid escalating censorship. Ukrainian journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk, co-founder of The Reckoning Project, has documented war crimes, which contributed to ICC arrest warrants. Lastly, Sota.Vision, one of Russia’s few remaining independent media outlets, covers protests and government repression despite constant harassment and detentions.
The Independence Prize honours journalists who have shown remarkable courage under repression. Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala of the Democratic Republic of Congo endured six months of detention before vowing to continue his fight for independent journalism. Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) remains a rare independent outlet, covering sensitive issues despite censorship. Alsu Kurmasheva, detained in Russia for opposing the war in Ukraine, was released in a prisoner exchange. Tajikistani journalist Anora Sarkorova, reporting on human rights abuses in exile, faces prosecution for extremism. In African investigative journalism, David Dembélé of Mali, Mariam Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso, Stephen Nartey, Noël Konan, and Bakare Majeed are recognised for their brave investigative work despite threats.
RSF adds that the Lucas Dolega-SAIF Photo Prize recognises impactful photojournalism addressing urgent global issues. Laurence Geai’s “Les enfants perdus du Califat” sheds light on the children detained in Kurdish-run camps after the fall of ISIS. Diego Ibarra Sanchez’s “The Hidden War” captures the rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah along the Lebanese border. Antoine Lallican’s “A Summer in the Donbass” depicts Russia’s military advances in eastern Ukraine. Sergey Ponomarev’s “West Bank” illustrates the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the West Bank. Gael Turine’s “The Ravages of Tranq Dope” exposes the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic in Philadelphia.
RSF adds that the jury for the 32nd edition of the RSF Press Freedom Prize includes prominent journalists, photojournalists and free speech advocates from around the world. Members include Rana Ayyub, Raphaëlle Bacqué, Mazen Darwish, Zaina Erhaim, Erick Kabendera, Hamid Mir, Frederik Obermaier, Mikhail Zygar, Patrick Chauvel, and Karine Pierre, the 2023 Lucas Dolega SAIF Photo Prize winner. Sadibou Marong, head of RSF’s Sub-Saharan Africa desk, joins the jury to introduce the new category, the prize for African Investigative Journalism – Mohamed Maïga. The jury is chaired by RSF president Pierre Haski.
It adds that the 32nd ceremony will take place on December 4, in Washington DC, hosted by journalist Lulu Garcia-Navarro.
