Embattled Prachatai director Chiranuch wins international Courage in Journalism Award

Embattled director of Prachatai.com on-line newspaper Chiranuch Premchaiporn was among three female journalists who won the 2011 Courage in Journalism Award given by the International Women's Media Foundation.

Chiranuch, who is currently on bail and fighting charges under the computer-crime act due to alleged lese majeste remarks posted on the Web board she administers, was praised for her "extraordinary dedication".

The two other awardees facing pending danger and threats and political pressure are Adela Navarro Bello of Mexico and Parisa Hafezi of Iran.

All three were praised for their "extraordinary dedication covering violence, corruption and social unrest in their countries".

"We are proud to recognise these brave women, who endure the most incredible trials to shed light on the events vital to the nations in which they live," IWMF executive director Liza Gross said in a statement. "They exemplify the crucial role of the press in society."

They will be "honoured" in Los Angeles and New York in October, the statement said.

Adela Navarro Bello, general director and columnist for Zeta news magazine in Mexico, reports on the escalating violence and corruption in the border city of Tijuana. Navarro Bello, 42, "has refused to remain silent, despite repeated warnings that she is being targeted by drug cartels", the statement said.

Parisa Hafezi, bureau chief for Reuters in Iran, "has been beaten, harassed and detained while covering public opposition to the government. Hafezi, 41, is under constant surveillance. Government officials have raided her home and office and threatened her".

Chiranuch, 43, the statement cited, "faces up to 70 years in prison for anti-government comments posted on her website. She has been repeatedly arrested, her offices have been raided and her website has been blocked multiple times by the Thai government".

"We at the IWMF are thrilled to honour these extraordinary journalists who have risked everything to tell the important stories of their time and place," said Judy Woodruff of the PBS NewsHour programme and chair of the IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards.

The Courage in Journalism Awards honour women journalists who show extraordinary strength of character and integrity while reporting under dangerous circumstances. Including this year's honourees, 72 journalists have won Courage Awards and 20 journalists have been honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Despite the sensitivity and censorship over the lese majeste related issue, Chiranuch's and Prachatai.com's struggle are now being covered and discussed more widely abroad and domestically on Thai mainstream mass media.