Nominations for 2013 Courage in Journalism Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award now open

January 31, 2013 Leave a comment

By INSI

Honoree Khadija Ismayilova speaks at the 2012 Courage in Journalism Awards hosted by the International Women's Media Foundation (Todd Williamson/Invision/AP Images)

Honoree Khadija Ismayilova speaks at the 2012 Courage in Journalism Awards hosted by the International Women’s Media Foundation (Todd Williamson/Invision/AP Images)

The International Women’s Media Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2013 Courage in Journalism Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award.

The International News Safety Institute is proud to support our colleagues at IWMF in their call for nominations.

Each year, the Courage in Journalism Awards honour three women journalists who have demonstrated extraordinary strength of character in pursuing their profession under difficult or dangerous circumstances, such as government oppression, threats to personal safety and other intimidating obstacles.

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Fears of ‘government clampdown’ on Azeri journalists after Eurovision Song Contest

May 25, 2012 Leave a comment

By Helena Williams

The Crystal Palace in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 is taking place. (Flickr/glitchfield)

The Crystal Palace in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 is taking place. (Flickr/glitchfield)

The safety of Azeri journalists could deteriorate after this weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, according to local media organisations and activists.

The Institute for Reporters Freedom and Safety (IRFS), based in the capital, said that critical local journalists could be victims of a government crackdown after the international spotlight has left the oil-rich state.

“The main concern at this point is what will happen once the party is over,” said Celia Davies, of IRFS.

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Safety for journalists worsens ahead of Eurovision

April 20, 2012 Leave a comment

By Helena Williams

Preparations are under way for Eurovision 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan

Preparations are under way for Eurovision 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan (Flikr/Ecograph Galina)

The situation for journalists working in Azerbaijan is rapidly deteriorating ahead of next month’s Eurovision song contest.

On Wednesday, an award-winning investigative journalist was attacked and hospitalized after being beaten by security officers working for state-run energy firm Socar.

Witnesses said that Idrak Abbasov had been covering a protest by local residents against the oil giant’s demolition of their homes on the outskirts of the capital, Baku.

“They took his camera, bowled him over and started kicking him. He was bleeding, his head was injured and one eye was swollen,” said the journalist’s brother Roman who was recording the protest, according to the Azerbaijani news agency Turan.

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