Friday, December 08, 2006

Anna Politkovskaya Awarded the title World Press Freedom Hero

The Vienna based International Press Institute (IPI) posthumously awarded murdered Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya the title World Press Freedom Hero. "Her murder is a shock and loss. IPI believes that she made a significant contribution to journalism and to the cause of human rights," IPI Director Johann Fritz said.

Politkovskaya, who was shot outside her Moscow apartment on October 7, was only one of over 20 journalists killed in Russia since 2000.

The investigative journalist wrote for the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, and was working on a story on torture in Chechnya when she was killed.

Fritz said Politkovskaya's nomination for the award was also a call on the Russian authorities to "ensure that there is a thorough investigation in her murder" in a country where, the IPI said, journalists were often killed with impunity.

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