NEWS

Wikileaks and journalist Arat Dink was honoured by Index on Censorship at a ceremony in London last night.



Dink was awarded the prestigious Guardian Journalism Award, which recognises determined and brave journalism that often represents a different point of view in the media.

Index on Censorship Chief Executive Henderson Mullin commented: ‘The bravery of Arat Dink, and the rest of the staff of Agos, in the face of Draconian laws restricting their freedom of expression, provides inspiration for journalists throughout the world. In honouring Arat, we also commemorate the work of his late father, Hrant Dink.’

Other award winners on the night included:

The Economist New Media Award: Wikileaks

Having faced down an attempt by an investment bank to have it shut down, wikileaks continues to be an invaluable resource for anonymous whistleblowers and investigative journalists.

Bindmans Law and Campaigning Award: U Gambira

U Gambira is the pseudonym of the leader of the All-Burma Monks Alliance, which organised and spearheaded the nationwide protests in September of last year.

TR Fyvel Book Award: The Art of Political Murder: Who killed Bishop Gerardi?

by Francisco Goldman. Publisher, Atlantic Books

The culmination of years of investigative journalism, The Art of the Political Murder is an astonishing account of the search for the killers of Guatemalan bishop Juan Gerardi. The book has made a huge impact in Guatamela, even majorly influencing the result of the recent presidential election

The Index Film Award: Ahlaam (Dreams)

Bradford-based director Mohamed Al-Daradji’s film Ahlaam (Dreams) interweaves the stories of three broken souls in a broken Baghdad. The director explores the aftermath of the collapse of the Saddam regime and the US-led occupation.

The judges of the 2008 awards are: Peter Wright, Mark Kermode, Maureen Freely, Lemn Sissay, Rabinder Singh QC, Richard Sambrook.