Tunisia’s Radio Kalima wins Free Media Pioneer Award
The online broadcaster and news website Radio Kalima is set to receive the prestigious award given out by the International Press Institute’s (IPI) later this year
IMS is pleased to learn that its long-time supported partner Radio Kalima will be receiving the Free Media Pioneer Award in honour of its fight against great odds to ensure an independent source of information for the people of Tunisia over the past many years.
Struggling to spread the voice of the people
– “We feel honoured and proud to receive this award from the International Press Institute,” said Omar Mestiri, Director of Radio Kalima to the International Press Institute last week.
– “The Tunisian revolution was the biggest recognition of our fight for liberty. The people spoke loud all together and fired the dictator. But we are aware that the fight is not in its end, the counter-revolutionary lobby is still powerful and very active. We are still struggling to spread the people’s voice, to spread the word, to spread Kalima.”
Radio Kalima was founded in 2000 by prominent journalists Naziha Razjib and Sihem Bensadrine, and quickly became a target for repeated harassment by the authorities.
An important source of information
IMS has supported Radio Kalima over a number of years to ensure the Tunisian people has access to other information sources than state media, which was plagued by propaganda and censorship under the rule of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Radio Kalima’s offices in Tunisia were raided and closed by authorities in January 2009, accused of using illegal frequencies, but through its popular debate programmes the radio station has remained an important source of information to many Tunisians.
Announcing the award last week, IPI Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said:
– “Radio Kalima’s undaunted commitment to independent reporting in the face of all odds has been an inspiration for all of us, and for media around the world. This award is an expression of our support, and the support of our network of members around the world, for Radio Kalima, and for independent media in Tunisia.”
The IPI Free Media Pioneer Award has been handed out every year since 1996. The award ceremony will take place at the IPI World Congress 2011 in Taiwan from 24-27 September.
