(Zaragoza) Poland’s Gazeta Wyborcza awarded the prestigious World Association of News Publishers’ (WAN-IFRA) Golden Pen for Freedom Award for 2022.
EMG Executive Director Mr. Min Thaw Thut is seen with WAN-IFRA Executive Director for Press Freedom Andrew Heslop.
Eleven Media Group’s Executive Director Mr. Min Thaw Htut was in attendance at the WAN-IFRA Congress in Zaragoza, Spain, which took place from September 28 to 30. During the Congress, the award ceremony for the Golden Pen for Freedom Award was also held.
“Each of our laureates, stretching back to the very first Pen, embodies a set of values that underpin our industry,” said Warren Fernandez, Editor-in-Chief of the The Straits Times in Singapore and President of the World Editors Forum, in announcing the award.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Gazeta Wyborcza newsroom, Piotr Stasiński, former deputy Editor-in-Chief and current Special Media Advisor to Gazeta Wyborcza Foundation, said: “Under PiS rule, media freedom in Poland has been seriously infringed. Already, we see a growing ‘chilling effect’ and a decreasing number of media outlets that are free and independent. Developments in Poland are in line with how Hungarian independent media were suppressed by Viktor Orban’s government. Hungary, like Poland, is an EU member.”
“I thank you for your support, generosity and unity and call on you to be with us, with any media in need in the years to come. We often say nowadays: be brave like Ukrainian journalists, so let’s be brave in our decision not to leave Ukrainian media alone. Let’s not leave any independent media facing oppression alone.”
The Golden Pen for Freedom has been awarded annually by the World Association of News Publishers’ since 1961 in recognition of individuals or organizations that have made an outstanding contribution to the defense and promotion of press freedom.
Eleven Media Group executive director Mr. Min Thaw Thut attended the 73rd World News Media Congress held from September 28 to 30.
Eleven Media Group’s Chairman and CEO Dr. Than Htut Aung was honored the Golden Pen for Freedom award in 2013, becoming the 4th recipient of the award from Myanmar. The first Myanmar recipient of the award was Guardian U Sein Win in 1963. Additionally, the award was honored jointly to Hantharwaddy U Win Tin and Daw San San Nwe (Tharyarwaddy) in 2001.
The King of Spain presented the Golden Pen Award to Polish newspaper officials.
Warren Fernandez, Editor in Chief of the Straits Times and President of the World’s Editor Forum, also mentioned 2013 Golden Pen laureate Dr. Than Htut Aung and his son Min Thaw Htut who was also in the audience.
“A year later, in 2013, we acknowledged the changing face of Myanmar, with the award to Dr Than Htut Aung, whose son, Min Thaw, is also with us here today. The moment for rejoicing in hard-won democratic gains may have been tragically brief, but the taste of press freedom lingers, and we look forward to the day we can celebrate with you once again,” he said.
World News Media Congress is the leading annual event for media leaders, bringing together 1,000 editors and media executives to discuss challenges and opportunities for the global news media industry.
Official from Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza clarified regarding the award.
Over three days, the programme includes forums such as the World Media Leaders Summit, the World Editors Forum, the Women in News Summit, and the Golden Pen of Freedom award.
WAN-IFRA is the global organisation of the world’s press, comprising 3,000 news publishers and technology companies and 60 national publishers’ associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries.
With a mission to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media, WAN-IFRA provides its members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society.
Executive Director Mr. Min Thaw Thut is seen with Kydo News Editor-in-Chief.
The Golden Pen of Freedom Award for 2021 was given to Hong Kong-based Apple Daily newspaper publisher Jimmy Lai and his newsroom team. Gazeta Wyborcza, which won the Golden Pen of Freedom Award for 2022, has 400 journalists working all over Poland, and they are the independent media of Poland and said they fought for freedom of the press and the right to stand in a complicated political environment. "Gazeta Wyborcza is very proud of the recognition and appreciation of WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum," said Piotr Stasinski.
Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza
Golden Pen for Freedom Award
