CAIRO: Egyptian blogger Mohamed Abdelfattah is one of two recipients of this year's 2001 International Press Freedom Awards. The Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJEF) grants the award annually to journalists who demonstrate extraordinary courage and free expression. Abdelfattah won the award for his work in exposing the story of Khaled Said, a young man who was brutally beaten and killed by Egyptian police officers in Alexandria in June of 2010. He was the first to report on an outpouring of public protest across Egypt in response to Said's death. He also helped to discredit the authorities' claim that Said was a drug dealer. Many believe that these events helped to predicate the January 25 Revolution in Egypt. The Egyptian blogger has faced much retribution for his work. He has been both beaten by Egyptian security officers and detained for his work, especially in the first days of protest that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak this past spring. “This year we recognize two journalists who have risked their safety to provide a true narrative of the events in the Arab Spring in their countries,” said Carol Off, Chair of the CJFE Gala committee. The second recipient was Khaled al-Hammadi, who received the award for his work as a photojournalist and correspondent in Yemen. “He has spent 16 years trying to explain his country to the outside world, and because he has been so public and outspoken he has faced ongoing threats, attacks and harassment by the government administration and its security and army agencies. He has been arrested, kidnapped and had his equipment destroyed,” said the CJEF. “We are honored to have these men join us at the CJFE Gala, and recognize their strength and courage in devoting themselves to freedom of expression, speaking out when ordered to remain silent,” she added. The awards will be presented at the 14th annual CJFE Gala in Toronto on November 24, 2011. BM
