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By Groum Abate - Capital
12 June, 2007
Serkalem Fasil, former co-owner and publisher of the Menilik, Asqual and Satenaw newspapers, and who was recently released from prison after being acquitted in the CUD trial, has won from the International Women’s Media Foundation, the Courage in Journalism Award, the foundation announced.
Serkalem, wife of Eskinder Nigussie, co-owner of the three newspapers, along with other journalists, was arrested and faced charges of treason.
The former co-owner and publisher was among editors and reporters of independent and privately-owned newspapers arrested after the May 2005 parliamentary elections.
The journalists were accused of genocide and treason, charges that could ential life imprisonment. While in jail, Fasil gave birth to and breastfed a child who was born premature and underweight.
She was released from prison in April 2007.
A Mexican journalist who travels with guards because of ongoing threats to her life, and a group of women reporters who every day risk their lives to cover the war in Iraq, are the recipients of this year’s International Women’s Media Foundation Courage in Journalism Awards.
“These women have shown dedication and bravery in reporting and in their commitment to journalism,” said Judy Woodruff, chair of the IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards. “They tell tough stories that need to be told, and in doing so, help defend freedom of the press.”
Created in 1990, the IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards honor women journalists who have shown extraordinary strength of character and integrity while reporting the news under dangerous or difficult circumstances. This year’s awards will be presented at ceremonies in New York on October 23 and in Los Angeles on October 30.
The International Women’s Media Foundation was launched in 1990 with a mission to strengthen the role of women in the news media worldwide. The IWMF network includes women and men in the media in more than 130 countries worldwide.