Iranian bloggers awarded for “brave” election coverage
TelevisionWashington.com / WashingtonTV
16-Oct-2009

16:05GMT—12:05PM/EST

Washington,
16 October (WashingtonTV)—Iranian bloggers won the 2009 Mohamed Amin
Award on Friday, for their efforts to cover the country’s disputed
presidential election.

“Iranian
bloggers redefined the concept of citizen journalism and social
networking when they became the only source of news in Iran
post-election,” Christopher Pleitgan, head of Reuters News Agency media
business, said in a statement.

Established
in 1997, the annual award is named in honor of Mohamed Amin, an African
cameraman who was killed in an airline hijacking. The award, which is
sponsored by the Thomson Reuters media company, typically honors
individuals who work behind the scenes.

Iranian
journalist Delbar Tavakoli received the award on behalf of the bloggers
“for their commitment, bravery and dedication under harrowing
conditions and extraordinary pressures while covering the presidential
election.”

Tavakoli, who
fled Iran after losing her job, has worked as a journalist for the last
13 years. Prior to the election, she covered women’s issues and tourism
for the Sarmayeh and Etemad-e Melli newspapers, and served as editor of
the Shahr News Agency.

“I
dedicate this prize to the Iranian journalists who worked hard ... >>>

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