Tunisian journalist and human rights activist Sihem Bensedrine, and an independent newspaper from Zimbabwe, "The Daily News," have been awarded the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) 2004 press freedom award.
Sihem Bensedrine is a tireless press freedom fighter and human rights activist who campaigns to expose widespread human rights abuses in Tunisia. She has suffered numerous grievances because of her work, including surveillance, government harassment and even assault. She has also been prevented from obtaining a licence to publish her online newspaper in Tunisia.
"The Daily News" in Zimbabwe has faced enormous odds in reporting the news. Its printing presses have been bombed and its staff relentlessly harassed by the authorities for reporting critically on President Robert Mugabe’s policies. The newspaper has been forced to close and now runs an online version out of South Africa.
The awards will be presented at the 7th annual CJFE Awards dinner in Toronto, Canada.
