”Canadian journalists – in defense of freedom of speech” (CJFE) at a ceremony in Toronto today announced the names of the winners of the International Press Freedom Award for this year. These were “Novaya Gazeta” and the Iranian journalist Gil Banyagub. They are awarded for extraordinary courage and overcoming tremendous difficulties in communicating information. Memorial Prize was awarded to Canadian writer Terry Gould.

By introducing the winners the head of the Committee on Prizes CJFE Carol Off pointed out their work which involved a huge risk. In the last decade more than 500 journalists were killed while performing their duties. Many of them were victims of contract killers, and 90% of these crimes remain unpunished.

This topic is dedicated to Terry Gould’s latest book, “Murder without Borders” which is portraits of seven journalists, paid with his life for his publication. The author considers Colombia, Russia, the Philippines and Iraq as the most dangerous countries for reporters.

“Novaya Gazeta” has remained one of the last independent print media in Russia, – says the awards sheet CJFE. – It has attracted worldwide attention when four of its employees were killed, and the wording was the subject of police surveillance, constant nagging, lawsuits and other forms of persecution. Nevertheless, the editor Dmitry Muratov, and his deputy, Sergey Sokolov, the former line continued to expose corruption and to identify violations. The newspaper is committed to the principle of freedom of the press.

Gil Banyagub edits a Web site devoted to the problems of Iranian women. It publishes reports on abuses of state and religious police. Gil repeatedly subjected to beatings, arrests and imprisonment. CJFE awards ceremony will be held in Toronto on Dec. 9, 2009.