Call for Nominations: 2021 ICFJ Knight International Journalism Awards

By: ICFJ | 01/21/2021
ICFJ recognized digital news pioneers Lina Attalah of Egypt and Roman Anin of Russia in 2020 for their groundbreaking work.

Each year, the International Center for Journalists honors outstanding colleagues with the ICFJ Knight International Journalism Award at our Tribute to Journalists. We are now seeking nominees whose pioneering coverage or media innovations have made an impact on the lives of people in their countries or regions. Candidates can be reporters, editors, technologists, media managers or citizen journalists. Candidates who meet the awards criteria may nominate themselves. Please send in your nominations by Sunday, Feb. 28. 

Our 2020 ICFJ Knight Award winners were Lina Attalah and Roman Anin. Attalah is the fearless editor of an online news site that is keeping independent journalism alive in Egypt in the midst of a harsh crackdown on free expression. Anin, who received a special ICFJ Knight Trailblazer Award, is an investigative reporter whose online publication tackles the dangerous job of revealing corruption in Vladimir Putin’s Russia. He also is a past winner of our ICFJ Knight International Journalism Award.

At a time when attacks on journalists are rampant, the ICFJ Knight Award brings global visibility to the intrepid winners. The award reflects the mission of ICFJ's Knight Fellowships, which create and spread news innovation to better engage communities and improve lives. The program is supported by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

The winners will be honored Nov. 9 at ICFJ’s 2021 Tribute to Journalists. 

For more information about the awards, please contact Monica Lopez at mlopez@icfj.org. For information about the awards event, please contact Emily Schult at eschult@icfj.org.

Please help us celebrate the contributions of outstanding journalists by nominating someone today. You can find the nomination form here.

Latest News

ICFJ Fellow Builds Community of Women Journalists in Post-Assad Syria

When Bashar al-Assad’s government was overthrown at the end of 2024, Mais Katt, a Syrian journalist who has lived in exile for 14 years, immediately returned to her country. She was one of the first journalism trainers to enter Damascus after the fall of the regime. Her goal? Help prepare women journalists to take advantage of their newfound freedoms.

ICFJ Fellow Investigates Government Failures in West Bank Refugee Camps

Aziza Nofal, a Palestinian freelance journalist and an ICFJ Jim Hoge Reporting Fellow, through her fellowship, conducted a months-long investigation into the shortage of aid for refugees living in West Bank refugee camps. When Nofal was covering Israeli incursions into West Bank refugee camps for outlets like Al Jazeera, she observed a lack of support from Palestinian authorities.

Hold the Line Coalition Welcomes Maria Ressa and Rappler's Acquittal on Foreign Ownership Case, Urges Closure of Remaining Case

A Filipino court has acquitted Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, along with five Rappler directors, in a long-standing anti-dummy case. Filed in 2018 under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the case was based on the allegation that Rappler had violated constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership of media.