Created with a $1m endowment gift from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award “will be given annually to a woman photojournalist whose work follows in the footsteps of Anja Niedringhaus,” says the International Women’s Media Foundation.
[bjp_ad_slot]Niedringhaus was a recipient of the IWMF Courage in Journalism Award in 2005 for her life spent documenting wars and the effects of conflict on people in war-torn regions. “I could have stayed out of trouble most of my life but always have been drawn to the people who suffer in difficult situations,” she told the audience at the 2005 Courage Awards ceremony.
“Howard G. Buffett recalls being so deeply impressed with Niedringhaus’ talent and dedication that his foundation provided the funds for her to attend Harvard University as a Nieman Fellow in 2007,” says the IWMF.
Buffett explains the reasons he pushed for the creation of this award: “I considered Anja a friend who represented the best of photojournalism. By creating this award, we ensure her spirit lives on. Anja’s voice may be silenced but our hope is that other voices who share her commitment become louder.”
The award will honour “women photojournalists who set themselves apart by their extraordinary bravery,” adds the IWMF. “Facing and surviving danger to uncover the truth, they raise the bar for reporting under duress.”
More details about the award will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Visit www.iwmf.org.