Filipino Journalist Shortlisted in RSF Press Freedom Award

Photo from Reporter’s without Borders website.

VETERAN FILIPINO journalist Inday Espina-Varona is in the shortlist for the Paris-based, press freedom and free expression watch group Reporters Without Borders (RSF-Reporters Sans Frontieres) 2018 Press Freedom Awards.

RSF has shortlisted 12 nominees from several countries for its ‘Courage,’ ‘Impact’ and ‘Independence’ awards.

Varona is shortlisted for the Independence Prize for journalists, media organizations or NGOs that are “resisting pressure (including financial, political, economic or religious ones) because of the values and rules that enable them to resist.”  Ghanian undercover reporter Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Péter Pető of the Hungarian news website 24.hu, and Pakistani journalist Taha Siddiqui are the other finalists.

Varona was recognized for her extensive reporting on issues such as child prostitution, violence against women, the LGBT community, and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Mindanao. RSF also noted her active social media engagement, highlighting her #BabaeAko campaign aimed at informing the public about women’s rights in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s misogynist acts and remarks.

In a personal Facebook post, Varona expressed gratitude for being in the shortlist. She said she is humbled and inspired “to do more for the cause of press freedom.” She added that Filipino journalists have a proud legacy to fall back on. She is “proud of her colleagues who stand firm despite attacks and even more proud because many of the stories that sparked vilification from the government have stood the test of time.”

RSF United Kingdom Bureau Director emphasized the importance of recognizing great journalism, “not least because it sends a message of solidarity, proving that there is an international community that will stand up for the free media no matter where it is threatened, or by whom.”

RSF will hold its Press Freedom Awards rites in London on November 8, 2018. The ceremonies will be at the Getty Images Gallery, with Channel 4 News’ chief international correspondent Lindsey Hilsum as presentor. A special ‘L’esprit de RSF’ prize has been created for the UK media to mark London’s first-time hosting of the awards.