The UNESCO / Guillermo Cano World Prize for Contribution to Press Freedom was established by UNESCO in 1997 in memory of the late Colombian journalist Guillermo Cano . The prize is awarded for promoting freedom of the press, especially if the related activities involve risk.
The prize consists of 25 thousand dollars and a memorable gift. The jury consists of 14 people: 12 are appointed by the Director-General of UNESCO, and two are representatives of the Guillermo Cano Foundation.
Candidates are submitted to the Director-General of UNESCO by October 31 of the current year. The award ceremony takes place on May 3 as part of World Press Freedom Day events.
Prize Laureates
- 2016 - Khadija Ismailova (Azerbaijan)
- 2015 - Mazen Darvish (Syria)
- 2014 - Ahmed Shik (Turkey)
- 2013 - Riyot Alemu (Ethiopia)
- 2012 - Einulla Fatullayev (Azerbaijan)
- 2011 - Ahmad Zeydabadi (Iran)
- 2010 - Monica Gonzalez Mujica (Chile)
- 2009 - Lasanta Wikrematunge (Sri Lanka) - posthumously
- 2008 - Lydia Cacho Ribeiro (Mexico)
- 2007 - Anna Politkovskaya (Russia) - posthumously
- 2006 - May Shidiak (Lebanon)
- 2005 - Chen Yizhong (China)
- 2004 - Raul Rivero (Cuba)
- 2003 - Amira Hass (Israel)
- 2002 - Joffrey Niarota (Zimbabwe)
- 2001 - Woo Ting (Myanmar)
- 2000 - Nizar Nayuf (Syria)
- 1999 - Jesus Blancornelas (Mexico)
- 1998 - Christina Anianvu (Nigeria)
- 1997 - Gao Yu (China)