Last but not least: Overcoming boundaries
Ricardo Gonzáles Alfonso, a Cuban man sentenced to 20 years in prison, has been named «Journalist of the Year 2008» by Reporters Without Borders. We, too, have an award to present.
Cuban Ricardo Gonzáles Alfonso, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison, has been named "Journalist of the Year 2008" by the organization Reporters Without Borders.
In a country where news and information are still a state monopoly, Gonzáles has shown exceptional courage, Reporters Without Borders announced in Paris on Thursday. "Despite considerable personal risks, he was one of the very few to demand his right to freedom of expression and to address repressed issues such as racism in Cuban society," said a spokesperson, explaining the decision of the international jury.
Gonzáles founded De Cuba, one of Cuba's first independent newspapers. Together with 26 other journalists, he was arrested in 2003. A court later accused him of "undermining the independence and integrity of Cuba" and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
The organization also presented human rights awards to the bloggers Zarganar and Nay Phone Latt from Burma and to the North Korean radio station Free NK. According to Reporters Without Borders, the station is considered an enemy of the state in North Korea because, with the help of undercover correspondents, it reports on topics that have not been made public for several decades due to the repressive press laws.
With these awards, the organization honours journalists, internet dissidents and the media for their special commitment to press freedom and human rights. The prizes are endowed with 2,500 euros each.
We also have an award to hand out. The Swiss Reporter Without Borders is former Weltwoche and magazine editor Peer Teuwsen. The 40-year-old German-born reporter has landed himself a dream job as head of the new Swiss pages at the Hamburg weekly Die Zeit.
In a country where news and information are still a state monopoly, Gonzáles has shown exceptional courage, Reporters Without Borders announced in Paris on Thursday. "Despite considerable personal risks, he was one of the very few to demand his right to freedom of expression and to address repressed issues such as racism in Cuban society," said a spokesperson, explaining the decision of the international jury.
Gonzáles founded De Cuba, one of Cuba's first independent newspapers. Together with 26 other journalists, he was arrested in 2003. A court later accused him of "undermining the independence and integrity of Cuba" and sentenced him to 20 years in prison.
The organization also presented human rights awards to the bloggers Zarganar and Nay Phone Latt from Burma and to the North Korean radio station Free NK. According to Reporters Without Borders, the station is considered an enemy of the state in North Korea because, with the help of undercover correspondents, it reports on topics that have not been made public for several decades due to the repressive press laws.
With these awards, the organization honours journalists, internet dissidents and the media for their special commitment to press freedom and human rights. The prizes are endowed with 2,500 euros each.
We also have an award to hand out. The Swiss Reporter Without Borders is former Weltwoche and magazine editor Peer Teuwsen. The 40-year-old German-born reporter has landed himself a dream job as head of the new Swiss pages at the Hamburg weekly Die Zeit.
