Imprisoned Belsat TV journos Katsyaryna Andreyeva, Darya Chultsova get Courage in Journalism Awards

Originally published: Belsat.eu

On June 10, the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) announced the recipients of its 31st annual Courage in Journalism Awards. Our jailed colleagues Katsyaryna Andreyeva (Bakhvalava) and Darya Chultsova are among his year’s winners.

According to the IWMF, the Courage in Journalism Awards show people that women journalists are not going to step aside, cannot be silenced, and deserve to be recognized for their strength in the face of adversity. It honors the brave journalists who report on taboo topics, work in environments hostile to women, and share difficult truths.

“This year’s Courage Award winners persist despite incredible odds, including censorship and intimidation both online and offline.It is an honor to recognize Darya, Katsyaryna, Paola, Vanessa, and the team at Khabar Lahariya for their devotion and determination to keep us informed. For these women, and countless others, participation in public discourse is dangerous and traumatic – we salute them and congratulate their courage,” said the IWMF’s Executive Director Elisa Lees Muñoz.

Katsyaryna“s husband Ihar Ilyash managed to inform her about the award in a telegram he sent to the penal colony in Homiel.

“This award turned out to be a huge surprise for me. When my lawyer had told me about the news, I felt incredible joy, which is a rare emotion in prison. The Courage award will grant me with strength to pull through all challenges on my way. It is an honour to share a stage with the bravest women journalists of the world,” she said.

According to Chultsova’s mother, Natallya Tserabilenka, receiving award, her daughter represents every woman journalist in Belarus and worldwide who suffers behind bars, despite the risks.