Afghan journalists, interpreters awarded Pulitzer Prize Special Citation for 'courageous' work
Jenna RyuAfghan journalists, including reporters, drivers, photographers and interpreters, were awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation on Friday.
The Pulitzer Prize Board chose to honor those who "dedicated themselves at great personal risk to create and support journalism that has chronicled decades of life and war," according to a press release.
"Courageous Afghan residents helped produce Pulitzer-winning and Pulitzer-worthy images and stories that have contributed to a wider understanding of profoundly tragic and complicated circumstances."
The award also includes a $100K grant to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) to help protect, evacuate and resettle these individuals and their families. Previous special citations have been awarded to Ida B. Wells, Aretha Franklin and most recently, Darnella Frazier, the teenager who recorded the infamous video showing George Floyd's murder.
"It’s critical in a moment of stark threat to support those Afghans whose bravery, skill, and commitment to the ideals of a free press have helped create so much important journalism in recent decades," said Pulitzer Prize Board co-chairs Katherine Boo, Gail Collins and John Daniszewski.
Pulitzer Prize Special Citation:Darnella Frazier, teen who recorded George Floyd's murder, awarded Pulitzer Prize Special Citation
Earlier this month, the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan's capital, leaving Afghan women, journalists, human rights advocates and former translators for the U.S. military seeking a way out of their country.
Even before their takeover of Kabul, Taliban forces targeted journalists and other media workers according to a report from the Human Rights Watch, which found that Taliban members “engaged in a pattern of threats, intimidation, and violence against members of the media in areas where the Taliban have significant influence.”
However, evacuation efforts were recently thwarted when a deadly bombing attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul Thursday left dozens dead and injured.
Kabul attacks:Desperate crowds, closed gates, people stranded after bombing at Kabul airport
Thirteen U.S. service members and at least 60 Afghan civilians — including children — were killed when two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds trying to flee the Taliban resurgence in the country.
About 1,000 U.S. citizens are believed to still be in Afghanistan. Heavy security and roadblocks set up by the Taliban make accessing the airport a challenge. And entry is nearly impossible now that U.S. forces have closed all gates due to the attack.
Afghan journalists:Amid Taliban takeover, fear Afghanistan’s media landscape will ‘disappear’
Original story:After two decades and billions spent, Afghan government collapses as Taliban takes Kabul
Contributing: Sarah Elbeshbishi, Ella Lee, and Chelsey Cox, USA TODAY
