Palestinian journalists covering Gaza awarded 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize

“In these times of darkness and hopelessness, we wish to share a strong message of solidarity and recognition to those Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such dramatic circumstances. As humanity, we have a huge debt to their courage and commitment to freedom of expression.” Mauricio Weibel, Chair of the International Jury of media professionals

“Each year, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize pays tribute to the courage of journalists facing difficult and dangerous circumstances. Once again this year, the Prize reminds us of the importance of collective action to ensure that journalists around the world can continue to carry out their essential work to inform and investigate.” Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General

The ongoing conflict in Gaza is having grave consequences for journalists. Since 7 October 2023, UNESCO has condemned and deplored the deaths of 26 journalists and media workers in the line of work, based upon information from its international NGO partners. The Organization is reviewing dozens of other cases.

UNESCO supporting journalists in conflict worldwide

UNESCO is supporting journalists reporting from conflict and crisis zones. The Organization is distributing essential supplies to journalists in Gaza, and has established safe working spaces and provided emergency grants for journalists in Ukraine and Sudan. UNESCO is also giving protective equipment and training to journalists in Haiti, and supporting independent media in Afghanistan.

More broadly, UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising, training and by coordinating the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

About the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize 

Created in 1997, the annual UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize honours an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger. It is the only such prize awarded to journalists within the UN System.  

It is named for Guillermo Cano Isaza, the Colombian journalist who was assassinated in front of the offices of his newspaper El Espectador in Bogotá, Colombia, on 17 December 1986, and funded by the Guillermo Cano Isaza Foundation (Colombia), the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation (Finland), the Namibia Media Trust, Democracy & Media Foundation Stichting Democratie & Media (The Netherlands), and the Thomson Reuters Foundation.