Winners of the 2011 Samir Kassir Award for freedom of the press
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THE POWER OF WORDS AND ACTION

Freedom of expression is a fundamental right for the fulfillment of human aspirations. The uprisings in the region highlighted its peoples' aspiration to live freely and in dignity, and their quest for the full enjoyment of their human rights.

The media landscape has changed beyond recognition. Social media played a crucial role during the Arab Spring giving journalists, bloggers and peaceful demonstrators the means to bypass traditional media outlets and overcome the barrier of fear by expressing ideas, sharing news, organising protests and highlighting injustices. The European Union is committed to respecting and defending freedom and pluralism of media throughout the world, and will keep denouncing arrests and unjustified restrictions on the work of journalists and human rights defenders.

The Samir Kassir Award gives us a chance once again to pay a deserved tribute to those who work and battle for a free and responsible press, and a more informed and democratic society in a newer region.

Angelina Eichhorst
Ambassador - Head of the Delegation
of the European Union to Lebanon