NEW YORK - Journalists from Brazil, China, Kyrgyzstan and Liberia were to be honoured at the 2012 International Press Freedom Awards in New York for taking huge risks to expose human rights violations in their countries. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said the four reporters “have faced severe reprisals for their work, including assault, threats, and torture.” They were to be honoured at an awards dinner in New York, although two of them - Kyrgyz reporter Azimjon Askarov and Tibetan Dhondup Wangchen - were unable to attend as they are currently imprisoned.
“We are inspired by these journalists who have paid a high price for their enduring dedication to the truth,” said CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon. The CPJ honours between four and seven individuals or publications each year at the New York banquet.