Nan Paw Gay, Director and Editor-in-Chief, Karen Information Center, Myanmar, has been named the 2024 Laureate for Southeast Asia. A majority of the global population has experienced a decline in press freedom in recent years, something Paw Gay knows all too well. She heads an exiled media organisation based on the Thailand-Myanmar border, and is leading efforts to uphold press freedom during a critical period in Myanmar’s political history. Despite being forced to live in exile, Paw Gay has been instrumental in securing spaces for journalists to report and helping ethnic media outlets in Myanmar collaborate to uphold journalistic standards. She has won recognition for tackling taboo topics, including the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war against women.
“Being named a Laureate of the WIN Editorial Leadership Award is both humbling and empowering. It serves as a reminder of the importance of independent journalism in fostering accountability and democracy. I am grateful for this recognition and remain committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in our industry,” said Paw Gay.
The Award, which is in its 10th year, also recognised Beatrice Bandawe, Managing Editor, The Guardian Limited, Tanzania, and Dima Khatib, the Managing Director, AJ+, Palestine/Syria. They have been named the 2024 Laureates for the Africa Region and Arab Region, respectively.
The Editorial Leadership Award recognises outstanding women editors who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in their newsrooms and are committed to advancing gender equality in the field of journalism in their respective regions.
“These remarkable newsroom leaders have exemplified exemplary dedication to journalistic excellence, serving as inspiring role models and catalysts for positive change in their countries and beyond,” said Vincent Peyregne, CEO of WAN-IFRA.
The Laureates are selected by members of the Women in News Global Steering Committee based on criteria such as commitment to editorial excellence, gender equality and supporting the next generation of media leaders.
“Through their commitment to fostering young talent, and record of success in bringing diverse perspectives to their storytelling, our 2024 Laureates have made their newsrooms more inclusive while building trust among their audiences, two crucial ingredients for the long-term sustainability of any media” said Melanie Walker, WAN-IFRA Executive Director for Media Development and WIN.
The three Laureates will be recognised at WAN-IFRA’s World News Media Congress taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark, 27-29 May 2024.
For more: https://womeninnews.org/the-women-in-news-editorial-leadership-award/
