The 'Golden Pen of Freedom' Award Presented to Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi

The 'Golden Pen of Freedom' award was presented to Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, Iranian journalists imprisoned for being the first to report on the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. The award was given during the Global News Media Congress in Taipei, Taiwan. Marta Ramos, president of the World Editors Forum, stated on Wednesday, July 7, after presenting the award to the imprisoned journalists, 'Let the press be free once and for all.' Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi were among the first journalists to cover the death of Mahsa Amini, who died while in custody of the morality police. Her death sparked widespread anti-government protests in Iran, leading to the arrest, torture, and deaths of numerous protesters, as well as human rights violations against prisoners. Niloufar Hamedi, a reporter for the Shargh newspaper, and Elahe Mohammadi, a reporter for the Ham-Mihan newspaper, are imprisoned due to their reporting in Iran, like many other Iranian journalists arrested by the morality police. Security forces arrested Niloufar Hamedi on September 22, 2022, and Elahe Mohammadi a few days later on October 7. Marta Ramos, in her speech, said, 'Their imprisonment is a desperate attempt to divert all the despair and anger that has arisen from years of oppression, denial of rights, and control of the narrative.' According to a statement from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, the award recognizes 'the courage and determination of two brave young women whose journalism tells the truth while the Iranian regime tries to rewrite history.' The Golden Pen of Freedom is an annual award given by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers to honor outstanding actions by an individual, group, or institution in the field of press freedom. Marta Ramos, in her speech regarding the situation of Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, stated, 'On October 28, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps accused both journalists of attempting to organize nationwide protests with their reports and conspiring with foreign intelligence agencies to undermine Iran's national security.' She added, 'This is exactly the kind of distortion of reality that a paranoid and frightened regime wants to portray as truth.' Ms. Ramos pointed out that this government effort will ultimately fail, saying, 'What both women were doing was exactly their job as journalists. The people of Iran will not remain in denial or servitude to tyrants, totalitarians, and those who deny basic human dignity.' She continued, 'But this comes at a price; a high price paid by generations of brave protesting men and women who seek to hasten the removal of their oppressors.' Marta Ramos reminded that since the onset of the nationwide protests in Iran, over five hundred protesters have been killed, and tens of thousands have been arrested. She emphasized that such a heavy price has also been repeatedly paid by journalists. Ms. Ramos stated, 'This is the fourth Golden Pen award given to Iranian journalists. This is the fourth time we have spoken from this platform to condemn the imprisonment of Iranian journalists.' She added, 'Let us once again raise our voices loud and clear to be heard in Tehran: Free Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi and all imprisoned journalists. Let the press in Iran be free once and for all.' This report was prepared using information from the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers and the Quint news website. The husband of Niloufar Hamedi reported that she has not been allowed to meet with her lawyer. The screening of the film 'White Torture' in the European Parliament; Narges Mohammadi: Women are assaulted in prison. U.S. support for imprisoned journalists: Iran must 'immediately' free Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi. Robert Malley reacted to the trial of Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi: Journalism is not a crime. Arash Keykhosravi, lawyer: The Revolutionary Court is not competent to handle press cases. The International Federation of Journalists condemned the media crackdown by the Islamic Republic by releasing a list of imprisoned journalists. U.S. response to the 'sham trial' of Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi; journalism is not a crime. Reporters Without Borders condemned the 'sham trial' of imprisoned journalists; Niloufar Hamedi rejected all charges against her. The Guardian reported on the brutal suppression of female journalists in Iran: 40% were women. The 'trial' of imprisoned journalists has begun; Elahe Mohammadi's lawyer: Lawyers were not allowed to speak. The trial of two journalists and two political activists is being held in a non-public manner. The Journalists' Guild Association demands a 'fair and public trial' for Niloufar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi. In response to Voice of America, the United States rejected the Islamic Republic's claims about Elahe Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi.