Al-Monitor wins Free Media Pioneer Award
Al-Monitor received the award at the International Press Institute's 2014 World Congress in Cape Town.
Republished with permission from the International Press Institute
CAPE TOWN — Iranian journalist Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, the International Press Institute’s newest World Press Freedom Hero, called publicly on his country’s government to unconditionally release the 48 journalists it holds behind bars.
Accepting his award yesterday at IPI’s 2014 World Congress in Cape Town, Shamsolvaezin said of Iran’s government: “They have the power and they have control over the power. They should be willing to give up control and allow others freedom.”
Shamsolvaezin said that his research and monitoring of developments in Iran showed that 48 journalists are imprisoned, which would make the country the leading jailer of journalists in the world, surpassing Turkey.
