USAGM journalists honored for courage, integrity

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USAGM journalists honored for courage, integrity

December 16, 2021

The U.S. Agency for Global Media today recognized excellence in journalism in the 2021 David Burke Distinguished Journalism Awards ceremony. This year marks 20 years for the USAGM Burke awards program.

The Burke Award is given annually to journalists of USAGM’s broadcasting networks in recognition of specific acts of courage, integrity, and professionalism.

Acting USAGM CEO Kelu Chao said the awardees represent the best of the agency and its journalism. “Their accomplishments provide a window into the realities of today’s global media environment and the importance of press freedom,” Acting CEO Chao said during the ceremony. “And their excellence is an example for us all in our support of freedom and democracy.”

The winners came from the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN).

This year’s honorees are:

For their close work with citizen journalists in Wuhan, China, during the initial outbreak of the Coronavirus. Thanks to their persistent work and journalistic integrity, VOA provided unique original reporting that proved to be very different from the official Chinese government narrative. These reporters’ contribution to the Wuhan lockdown coverage supported an unprecedented approach to VOA’s reporting, bringing a deeply personal angle to the pandemic.

RFE/RL recognizes two of its many displaced journalists who have been forced to leave their countries this year due to pressure and attacks by the authorities in those countries – Aleksei Aleksandrov and Maryana Torocheshnikova. While these two nominees are worthy of recognition in their own right, they also symbolize the suffering and courage of the many others who have been forced to leave their homes for uncertain futures, and yet continue to carry out professional journalism.

Ahmed Elimam transformed Alhurra.com’s video output by giving the digital channel a distinctive look and feel and by creating videos that helped audiences get important clarity in the early stages of the pandemic, explaining the latest recommendations from doctors and scientists on how to protect oneself from catching COVID. ElSaha.com and its social media properties serve as a localized source of news for Egypt. Ahmed Harbia has demonstrated journalistic excellence by producing compelling videos covering humanitarian stories, giving voice to marginalized populations, and highlighting the needs of the Egyptian communities El Saha serves.

For a second year, the 2021 Burke Award ceremony was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Event Information

December 16, 2021, 10:00 a.m.

Online

For more information, please contact USAGM Public Affairs at (202) 920-2000 or by e-mail at publicaffairs@usagm.gov

United States Agency for Global Media

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USAGM journalists honored for courage, integrity

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