Two imprisoned female journalists in Iran, Elahe Mohammadi and Niloofar Hamedi, have been awarded the prestigious Golden Pen of Freedom by the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra). The award, presented during the 2023 World News Media Congress in Taipei, Taiwan, recognizes the bravery and resilience of Mohammadi and Hamedi, who continued reporting the truth despite the Iranian regime’s attempts to rewrite history.
The annual press freedom award acknowledges the important role of journalism in upholding truth and challenging oppressive regimes. It also highlights the challenges faced by journalists working in countries with limited press freedom.
The award comes at a critical time as the journalists’ incarceration underscores the Iranian regime’s desperate efforts to suppress the truth and control the narrative. Martha Ramos, the editorial director of Organización Editorial Mexicana (OEM) in Mexico, and President of the World Editors Forum, emphasized that Mohammadi and Hamedi were simply doing their job as journalists. Ramos stated that the Iranian people will not tolerate oppression and are demanding freedom and justice.
Mahsa Jhina Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, tragically lost her life while in custody of Iran’s Morality Police. Her death sparked widespread protests across the country, with both Mohammadi and Hamedi reporting on the aftermath. By exposing Amini’s mistreatment and the government’s attempts to suppress the story, the journalists became targets themselves.
Niloofar Hamedi, 30, broke the news about Amini’s death and shared photos of her in the hospital, braindead, and her grieving parents. Elahe Mohammadi, 36, traveled to cover Amini’s funeral and witnessed the growing calls for justice and liberty. Their reporting played a pivotal role in mobilizing nationwide protests and demanding accountability from the Iranian government.
Since September 2022, Iran’s response to the protests has further solidified its reputation as one of the world’s most repressive countries for press freedom. Journalists routinely face arbitrary arrests and lengthy prison terms, while mainstream media remains largely state-controlled. Under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s rule, independent reporting is often labeled as foreign-driven.
The recent protests have led to intensified repression, surveillance, and harassment of journalists both inside and outside Iran. Mohammadi and Hamedi, along with numerous other journalists, are unfairly accused of conspiring with foreign intelligence agencies to undermine Iran’s national security. If they face a trial, it is likely to be in a revolutionary court, lacking fairness and integrity.
The international community, including WAN-IFRA, has called for the immediate release of Mohammadi, Hamedi, and all imprisoned journalists in Iran. The Golden Pen of Freedom serves as a reminder that journalism is essential for holding power to account and preserving democratic values.
In addition to the Golden Pen of Freedom, WAN-IFRA also honored editors from Botswana, Jordan, and the Philippines with the 2023 Women in News editorial leadership awards. These awards recognize the exemplary contribution of female editors and their media organizations’ impact on society.
Emang Mutapati, the editor-in-chief of The Voice in Botswana, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of independent journalism in promoting inclusivity, gender balance, equity, and diversity. Mutapati sees the award as a testament to the impact her work has had in giving a voice to marginalized communities.
The awards highlight the crucial role of journalism in upholding truth, exposing injustice, and advocating for press freedom. The recognition of journalists and editors who work against all odds to bring truth to light serves as a powerful message to oppressive regimes. It is a reminder that the pursuit of freedom and justice is an inherent part of the human spirit that cannot be silenced.
