The Washington Post Press Freedom Partnership has unveiled a week-long advertising campaign highlighting journalists from around the globe who are currently detained or otherwise persecuted for their reporting.
With print and digital ads running April 27- May 3, Post readers can learn more about the following journalists: Austin Tice of the United States, Claudia Duque of Colombia, Azimjon Askarov of Kyrgyzstan, Solafa Magdy of Egypt and Iwacu journalists of Burundi.
“The journalists spotlighted in this ad campaign are facing murder threats, detention and lifetime prison sentences simply for doing their jobs – reporting the truth and holding the powerful to account,” said Frederick J. Ryan Jr., publisher and CEO of The Post.
“In a time when freedom of information is more important than ever, we must ensure that journalists can freely report the news without fear of persecution.”
Featured Journalists
Austin Tice – United States: In May 2012, Austin Tice chose to go to Syria as a freelance journalist. Austin went to tell the story of the ongoing conflict there and its impact on the ordinary people of Syria. In August 2012, Austin made his way just south of Damascus to write his final pieces. He planned to depart for Lebanon on August 14, three days after his 31st birthday. He got into a car in the Damascus suburb of Darayya to make the trip, but shortly after leaving was detained at a check point and has been held in Syria since.
Claudia Duque – Colombia: Claudia Duque is a Colombian journalist and human rights defender that has paid a huge price for reporting in a country where, in spite of the recent peace process, the numbers of threats and attacks against the press are among the highest in the world, and where impunity remains in 98.81 percent, according her own investigations. Claudia’s reporting has revealed government corruption by army members and politicians in Colombia. She now fears for her life amid government-orchestrated criminal threats against her and her family.
Azimjon Askarov – Kyrgyzstan: Azimjon Askarov, an ethnic Uzbek, was documenting human rights violations in his hometown in Kyrgyzstan amid ethnic violence outbreaks in the region. Askarov was charged with incitement and ethnic hatred for his reporting on corrupt and abusive practices among regional police and prosecutors, and the journalist was sentenced to life in prison. His final appeal to the court is scheduled in May 2020.
Solafa Magdy – Egypt: Solafa Magdy, a freelancer multimedia journalist, reported on politics and human rights and contributed to the last-standing independent newspaper in Egypt, Mada Masr. She was detained and charged with membership of a banned group and spreading false news. She has been imprisoned for more than four months with reported health issues.
Iwacu journalists – Burundi: Four journalists from one of Burundi’s last-standing independent news outlets, Iwacu, were arrested while interviewing locals about clashes between security personnel and gunmen who had crossed over from the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a chilling message to Burundi journalists, the reporters, Christine Kamikazi, Agnès Ndirubusa and Egide Harerimana as well as photojournalist Térence Mpozenzi, were convicted of an attempt to undermine state security and sentenced to 2.5 years in prison.
The Press Freedom Partnership is a public service initiative from The Post to promote press freedom and raise awareness of the rights of journalists worldwide who are in pursuit of the truth.
Learn more at www.wapo.st/pressfreedom and follow on Twitter @wppressfreedom.