UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize

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

Palestinian journalists covering Gaza have been awarded the 2024 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, based on the recommendation of an International Jury of media professionals. The Award ceremony took place on May 2, within the framework of the World Conference on Freedom of the Press to be held in Santiago, Chile.

In these times of darkness and hopelessness, we want to convey a strong message of solidarity and recognition to the Palestinian journalists who are covering this crisis in such dramatic circumstances. As humanity, we owe an enormous debt to their courage and their commitment to freedom of expression.
Mauricio Weibel
President of the International Jury of media professionals
Each year, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano Prize pays tribute to the courage of journalists who face difficult and dangerous circumstances. For yet another year, the Award reminds us of the importance of collective commitment to ensure that journalists around the world can continue to carry out their essential work of reporting and investigating.
Audrey Azoulay
Audrey Azoulay
Director General of UNESCO
The current conflict in Gaza is having serious consequences for journalists. Since 7 October 2023, UNESCO has condemned and deplored the deaths of 26 journalists and media workers in the exercise of their profession, based on information provided by its partner international Non-Governmental Organizations. The Organization is investigating dozens more cases.

UNESCO supports journalists in conflict zones around the world
UNESCO supports journalists who report from conflict and crisis zones. The Organization is distributing essential supplies to journalists in Gaza, and has established safe workspaces and provided emergency grants to journalists in Ukraine and Sudan. UNESCO also provides personal protective equipment and training to journalists in Haiti, and supports independent media in Afghanistan.

UNESCO promotes the safety of journalists through global awareness-raising campaigns, training programs and through the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

About the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize

The UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, created in 1997, honors an exceptional contribution to the defense and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially if such contribution was made under circumstances of risk. It is the only award of its kind awarded to journalists within the UN system.

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

About UNESCO

UNESCO, with its 194 Member States, contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation in education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs more than 2,300 people. It oversees more than 2,000 World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Educational, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and more than 13,000 associated schools, university chairs and training and research institutions. The General Director is Audrey Azoulay.

"Since wars are born in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the bastions of peace must be erected" - UNESCO Constitution, 1945.

More information: www.unesco.org