Canada and United Kingdom announce recipient of the 2022 Media Freedom Award
The Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom award recognises the work of those who have defended journalists, or championed media freedom at a local level.
Today, during the third Global Media Freedom Conference in Tallinn, Estonia, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, awarded the 2022 Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award to Vietnamese journalist Pham Doan Trang.
The Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom award recognises the work of those who have defended journalists, or championed media freedom at a local level, honouring less recognised organisations, campaigns and individuals in their fight against impunity. Established in 2020, it provides recognition to those who advocate for media freedom, whether directly or indirectly.
Ms. Trang is known for her books on democracy and her articles on civil society and dissidents in Vietnam. An advocate for human rights and the rule of law, Ms. Trang has written about the important environmental issues. Reporters Without Borders awarded the Press Freedom Prize to Ms. Trang in 2019, in recognition of this work.
In December 2021, Ms. Trang was sentenced to nine years in prison for “propaganda against the State.” She spent 434 days in detention leading up to her sentencing.
Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada said:
Journalists play an essential role in any democracy by shining light on the critical issues of our time. On behalf of all Canadians, I salute Ms. Trang’s courage and determination to hold power to account. Canada will continue to stand up for media freedom around the world.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South Asia and the Commonwealth and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict said:
Democracy is under attack around the world, and journalists who shine their lights into those dark corners are paying a heavy price.
The truth is always worth pursuing and that’s why the UK and Canada established the Media Freedom Award. This award recognises the journalists, individuals and organizations who work tirelessly to promote and protect media freedom.
I am delighted to announce that this year’s winner of the Media Freedom Award is Pham Doang Trang. I congratulate Pham Doang Trang as a courageous, award-winning independent journalist and human rights defender from Vietnam.
Quick facts:
- The Canada-United Kingdom Media Freedom Award was started in 2020 at the second Global Conference for Media Freedom, which was hosted by Canada and Botswana.
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