CENOZO wins PEC 2023 award for the protection of journalists in the Sahel

PRESS RELEASE

CENOZO wins PEC 2023 award for the protection of journalists in the Sahel

Ouagadougou, 13 September 2023: The Norbert Zongo Unit for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO) will receive the Prize for the Protection of Journalists on 25 September 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Initiated in 2009 by the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), this prize is awarded to an individual or organisation working to protect journalists and press freedom in the field. In 2022, the prize was awarded to Russian journalist Ekaterina Glikman of the newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe. This year, the prize will be awarded to CENOZO for its remarkable work in the Sahel region despite the particularly difficult context.

“Journalism is becoming increasingly difficult in West Africa and the Sahel. From Burkina Faso to Mali, via Niger, journalists are faced with extremely precarious working conditions. Human rights abuses and bad governance are giving rise to chronic instability, with the return of military regimes, jihadist groups and the upheavals linked to the departure of the French and the influence of Russia. In this context, the aim of the CENOZO is to provide information, whatever the cost“, said Blaise Lempen, President of the PEC.

CENOZO is proud of this recognition of its efforts to promote quality journalism in the Sahel and West Africa in general. These efforts will only be possible thanks to the unfailing support of our members, partners and the ongoing commitment of the journalists to whom CENOZO dedicates this award.

CENOZO