Journalists from around the world were honored on Tuesday night at the Committee to Protect Journalists’ 24th annual International Press Freedom Awards, held at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City. Univision and Fusion’s Jorge Ramos was awarded with the Burton Benjamin Memorial Award for his lifetime commitment to press freedom.Dinner host Christiane Amanpour, international correspondent for CNN, presented Jorge Ramos, co-anchor on the award-winning evening newscast "Noticiero Univision" (Univision News), with the Burton Benjamin Memorial Award for his lifetime commitment to press freedom.
In his acceptance speech Jorge Ramos said "The best of journalism happens when we take a stand: when we question those who are in power, when we confront the politicians who abuse their authority, when we denounce an injustice. The best of journalism happens when we side with the victims, with the most vulnerable, with those who have no rights. The best of journalism happens when we, purposely, stop pretending that we are neutral and recognize that we have a moral obligation to tell truth to power."
Four journalists from Burma, Iran, Russia, and South Africa were honored with 24th annual International Press Freedom Awards for their work in defiance of imprisonment, repression, and censorship.
"Those who are threatened by information believe that silencing journalists will prevent the global community from knowing what's happening inside a given country. CPJ is proud to honor four courageous journalists who refused to be silenced," said Sandra Mims Rowe, CPJ's chairman of the board.
Alberto Ibargüen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and dinner chairman, opened the awards ceremony by announcing: "There is a new war on journalists. Today's terrorists will kill a journalist not to stop a story, but to create one. Tonight you will hear the stories of journalists who risk everything so we may see the world the way it really is."
International Press Freedom Awardees, from left, Mikhail Zygar, Ferial Haffajee, Aung Zaw, and Siamak Ghaderi. pic.twitter.com/kVcoNTLomg
— Press Release Watch (@PrReleaseWatch) November 27, 2014
In his acceptance speech Jorge Ramos said "The best of journalism happens when we take a stand: when we question those who are in power, when we confront the politicians who abuse their authority, when we denounce an injustice. The best of journalism happens when we side with the victims, with the most vulnerable, with those who have no rights. The best of journalism happens when we, purposely, stop pretending that we are neutral and recognize that we have a moral obligation to tell truth to power."
At @pressfreedom awards, @jorgeramosnews: "We must take sides! Neutrality only helps the oppressor."
— Arianna Huffington (@ariannahuff) November 26, 2014
Four journalists from Burma, Iran, Russia, and South Africa were honored with 24th annual International Press Freedom Awards for their work in defiance of imprisonment, repression, and censorship.
Video: International Press Freedom Awards in NYC #IPFA http://t.co/ooDshYiMWj
— CPJ (@pressfreedom) November 27, 2014
"Those who are threatened by information believe that silencing journalists will prevent the global community from knowing what's happening inside a given country. CPJ is proud to honor four courageous journalists who refused to be silenced," said Sandra Mims Rowe, CPJ's chairman of the board.
Alberto Ibargüen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and dinner chairman, opened the awards ceremony by announcing: "There is a new war on journalists. Today's terrorists will kill a journalist not to stop a story, but to create one. Tonight you will hear the stories of journalists who risk everything so we may see the world the way it really is."
