Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy wins Knight International Journalism Award 2017

Two-time Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on Wednesday won the Knight International Journalism Award 2017 for her reporting across the globe over the past two decades.

Announced by the International Center for Journalists [ICFJ] in Washington, DC on May 31, the award recognises Chinoy's efforts to chronicle the human toll of extremism that have made a major impact. “At great personal risk, Obaid-Chinoy and al Masri faced terrorism head on, getting behind the scenes to chronicle untold abuses,” said ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan.



“These reporters exemplify journalism excellence, telling stories that advance change and revealing truths that would not be uncovered, but for their efforts,” said Jennifer Preston, Knight Foundation Vice President for Journalism who also announced the winners of the Knight International Journalism Award 2017.

“It is a great honour for me to be awarded the Knight International Journalism Award. I began writing for newspapers in Pakistan when I was 14 years old and produced my first documentary film at the age of 21. Throughout my career I have strived to investigate stories that make people deeply uncomfortable, in the hope that they will spark conversations that will eventually lead to changes in attitudes.” said Chinoy on winning the award.

Meet the winners of the 2017 Knight International Journalism Awards: https://t.co/pt13vOnzPi #ICFJ4Truth

— International Center for Journalists (@ICFJ) June 1, 2017

The Knight International Journalism Award by the ICFJ recognises media professionals who demonstrate a passionate commitment to excellent reporting that makes a difference in the lives of people around the world.



Past recipients include pioneering correspondents who have exposed government corruption, war crimes and other important stories. For 2017, the recipients are Chinoy, whose work and efforts in highlighting the loophole on the practice of honour killing in Pakistan led to a legislative change in Pakistan, and Karam al Masri, a Syrian photojournalist and videographer who persisted in covering the siege of Aleppo through a near-blackout of news from the city.

The winners will receive the award on November 9 2017 at ICFJ’s Awards Dinner in Washington, DC.