The Commonwealth Press Union Media Trust (CPU) has presented the annual Astor Award to the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF). The Astor Award – first made in 1970 – is one of the oldest and most prestigious media awards in the world and is presented to an individual or organisation that has made an outstanding contribution to the Commonwealth newspaper industry and in particular fighting for press and media freedom. Last year’s winner was the Human Rights Network for Journalists in Uganda.

Lord Black of Brentwood, Chairman of the CPU Media Trust said: “We are delighted to make this presentation to the PPF, which has been fighting for press freedom for five decades. As it celebrates the 50th anniversary of its foundation in 1967, the PPF is a worthy winner which continues to this day to fight for media freedom in deeply hostile media terrain. We salute their courage and their outstanding work.”

The full citation for the Award reads as follows:

“Pakistan’s unenviable reputation as one of the world’s most hostile media climates is sealed by a single, haunting statistic: 73 of its journalists have lost their lives since 2002 while doing their job. Nearly 50 were deliberately targeted – caught in the crosshairs of ethnic, religious and separatist militancy, deeply polarized politics, and hostile government and law enforcement agencies. That is tragic and unforgiveable.

“Yet, bravely, the Pakistan media does not keep its head below the parapet to survive. Instead, it keeps the banner of press freedom flying amid the flak. In this, it owes much to the aid and inspiration of the Pakistan Press Foundation, the country’s oldest media development organisation, founded in 1967 to promote media freedom, journalistic training and improve standards.

“PPF helped spearhead a series of crisis management strategies designed to suit an industry under fire, by protecting media practitioners and ending Pakistan’s culture of impunity. It facilitated the establishment of Editors for Safety, a key network of senior editors and news directors, which unites the media against actions involving any individual, title or station.

“As it reaches its 50th anniversary, the ubiquitous PPF has shown itself to be a classically cool head in a crisis. It demonstrates the need to be innovative, inspirational and carry on against the odds, however grave. It is an exemplar to other beleaguered press industries around the world, fighting for freedom of expression as a universal right, and against oppression, from whichever source. In that, PPF embodies the true spirit of the CPU – and is a worthy winner of the Astor Award.”

Receiving the Award, Owais Aslam Ali, Secretary General of the PPF, said:

“I am gratified that the contributions of PPF in promoting and defending press freedom have been recognised by the Commonwealth Press Union. For many decades CPU was the leading organisation working for the development of professional, independent and free media in many newly independent countries, including Pakistan. The Astor Award will encourage all of us at PPF to work with greater vigour to meet the opportunities and serious challenges that face the Pakistani media today.”

ENDS

 

Notes:

 

  1. The CPU is committed to fighting for media freedom across the Commonwealth. It campaigns against repressive laws that stifle or censor the press, and supports the establishment of effective self-regulatory bodies. It is also involved in training journalists in the skills necessary to equip them for their work. More information about the Trust can be found on its website – www.cpu.org.uk
  2. A full list of previous winners of the Award can be found here – http://cpu.org.uk/the-astor-award/
  3. For further information contact CPU Media Trust Chairman Guy Black (black@telegraph.co.uk) or Owais Aslam Ali, Secretary General of the PPF (owaisali@pakistanpressfoundation.org).