CAIRO: Egyptian journalist Mohamed Abdelfattah is one of two recipients of this year's International Press Freedom Award, issued by the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE). Abdelfattah was chosen as a recipient for his thorough coverage of police violations of human rights in Egypt's Mediterranean city of Alexandria in 2010, including the Khaled Said case. “I'm really honored to receive this award from such a prestigious institution,” Abdelfattah told Youm7. “This award basically recognizes courage in reporting and they decided to give it to me based on my coverage of human rights violations,” said Abdelfattah, an English Literature major turned journalist. “In 2010 I was passionate about covering any violations by police.” "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, in a press release on CJFE's website. The second honoree is Khaled al-Hammadi from Yemen, who has worked as a photojournalist, correspondent a fixer for foreign media in Yemen. According to CJFE, al-Hammadi “has spent 16 years trying to explain his country to the outside world, and… has faced ongoing threats, attacks and harassment by the government administration and its security and army agencies.” The two men were chosen by CJFE “for their passion for free expression and their extraordinary courage.” Asked about his coverage of the human rights violations against Ahmed Shabaan last summer, Abdelfattah told Youm7, “I'm glad I was able to make an impact on such a story.” He said through his coverage the story was picked up by international media and Amnesty International and then was covered by local press. Abdelfattah said part of the reason he became so dedicated to covering human rights violations was “to give a voice to people who would not otherwise have been able to reach the media or make themselves heard.” The two men will receive their awards at a ceremony in Toronto on November 24. Abdelfattah is the second Egyptian to receive the award, which is in its 14th year. In 2006, Egyptian Abeer al-Askary received the award.
