German broadcast company Deutsche Welle (DW) has accorded a Filipina artist from Cebu its coveted Freedom of Speech Award—alongside 16 other reporters from 14 countries—for fearless coverage of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Freedom of Speech Award, according to DW’s website, is an annual award given to an individual or an initiative that has reflected their dedication to human rights and freedom of expression in the media.
Cebu-based artist Maria Victoria Beltran was jailed over her satirical Facebook post in April, which stated that the city is now the “epicenter of the Solar System” with over 9,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Among the other awardees of the coveted award by DW include 16 journalists from 13 countries who disappeared, were arrested, or were threatened due to their coverage on COVID-19.
These journalists, according to DW’s report, are Serbian journalist Ana Lalic, who was jailed for reporting about the lack of medical equipment and protective gear in Novi Sad city;
Slovenian investigative journalist Blaž Zgaga, who received harassment from the government and death threats; Belarusian online reporter, who was detained for criticizing the government’s handling of the pandemic; Russian investigative reporter Elena Milashina, who received death threats from Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov for reporting how the authorities respond to the pandemic; Venezuelan journalist Darvinson Rojas, who was imprisoned for 12 days for reporting about the spread of COVID-19 in the country; Iranian Mohammad Mosaed, a reporter who was arrested and banned from practicing journalism for criticizing the government’s lack of preparedness regarding the disease; Zimbabwean reporter Beatific Gumbwanda, who was arrested for alleged violation of lockdown rules despite having a permit as a media personnel; Ugandan TV reporter David Musisi Karyankolo, who was beaten by authorities; Turkish journalist Nurcan Baysal, who was arrested for commenting on the authorities’ response on the virus; Turkish print journalist İsmet Çiğit, who was arrested for reporting about two COVID-19 deaths in the country; Jordanian reporter Fares Sayegh for his reports about the lack of safety measures being implemented in the country; Indian editor Siddharth Varadarajan, who was handed a notice for appearance by the authorities over a story about a politician violating COVID-19 guidelines; and Cambodian journalist Sovann Rithy, who was arrested for reporting the lack of response from the government on drivers on the verge of bankruptcy
DW added that three Chinese were also awarded the Freedom of Speech Award, including lawyer and activist Chen Qiushi, who disappeared in February after interviewing doctors and citizens about COVID-19; TV presenter Li Zehua, who disappeared while covering the COVID-19 crisis; and citizen journalist Fang Bin, who disappeared after posting a video showing several body bags outside a hospital.
