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We’re incredibly proud to announce the winners of our 2026 Courage in Journalism Awards: Elaheh and Elnaz Mohammadi of Iran, @bygeorgiafort of the United States, and Nay Min Ni of Myanmar. Frenchie Mae Cumpio of the Philippines will receive the 2026 Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award, honoring a journalist who has been unjustly imprisoned for her work.

Each of these journalists has demonstrated extraordinary courage in pursuit of the truth, risking their safety and freedom to hold power to account. Elaheh and Elnaz Mohammadi reported on the persecution of women and anti-government protesters in Iran despite escalating censorship and arrests. Georgia Fort now faces legal retaliation following her reporting on anti-ICE protests in Minnesota. Reporting under a pseudonym for her safety, Nay Min Ni continues to document the realities of Myanmar’s military dictatorship. And Frenchie Mae Cumpio remains imprisoned in the Philippines for her investigations into government corruption.

Notably, all of this year’s honorees are independent journalists, working without the institutional protections or legal resources often available at major media organizations. At a time of mounting threats to press freedom and deep instability across the media industry, their work reminds us why independent journalism matters.

Read the full press release to learn more about this year’s winners at the link in our bio!

As many journalists head to cover protests in Chicago and cities across the U.S. this weekend, we have gathered intel on how journalists may be identified and targeted while covering ICE facilities and other federal buildings. Swipe through for our most up-to-date safety recommendations, and check the link in our bio for more detailed advice.

As many journalists head to cover protests in Chicago and cities across the U.S. this weekend, we have gathered intel on how journalists may be identified and targeted while covering ICE facilities and other federal buildings. Swipe through for our most up-to-date safety recommendations, and check the link in our bio for more detailed advice.

As many journalists head to cover protests in Chicago and cities across the U.S. this weekend, we have gathered intel on how journalists may be identified and targeted while covering ICE facilities and other federal buildings. Swipe through for our most up-to-date safety recommendations, and check the link in our bio for more detailed advice.

As many journalists head to cover protests in Chicago and cities across the U.S. this weekend, we have gathered intel on how journalists may be identified and targeted while covering ICE facilities and other federal buildings. Swipe through for our most up-to-date safety recommendations, and check the link in our bio for more detailed advice.

As many journalists head to cover protests in Chicago and cities across the U.S. this weekend, we have gathered intel on how journalists may be identified and targeted while covering ICE facilities and other federal buildings. Swipe through for our most up-to-date safety recommendations, and check the link in our bio for more detailed advice.

We're thrilled to announce that German photojournalist Johanna Maria Fritz (@johannamaria_fritz) has been named the winner of the 2025 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award for her portfolio "The Last Hospital," depicting life inside one of Sudan's last functioning public hospitals amid the country's devastating humanitarian crisis.

Venezuelan photojournalist Adriana Loureiro Fernández (@adriana.loureiro)received an honorable mention for her portfolio "Paradise Lost," recounting her country's descent into political and economic chaos.

American photojournalist Nicole Tung (@nicoletung) also received an honorable mention for the second time, having previously been honored in 2017. Her portfolio focuses on conflict and migration, including work from Ukraine, Syria, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

We're thrilled to announce that German photojournalist Johanna Maria Fritz (@johannamaria_fritz) has been named the winner of the 2025 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award for her portfolio "The Last Hospital," depicting life inside one of Sudan's last functioning public hospitals amid the country's devastating humanitarian crisis.

Venezuelan photojournalist Adriana Loureiro Fernández (@adriana.loureiro)received an honorable mention for her portfolio "Paradise Lost," recounting her country's descent into political and economic chaos.

American photojournalist Nicole Tung (@nicoletung) also received an honorable mention for the second time, having previously been honored in 2017. Her portfolio focuses on conflict and migration, including work from Ukraine, Syria, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

We're thrilled to announce that German photojournalist Johanna Maria Fritz (@johannamaria_fritz) has been named the winner of the 2025 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award for her portfolio "The Last Hospital," depicting life inside one of Sudan's last functioning public hospitals amid the country's devastating humanitarian crisis.

Venezuelan photojournalist Adriana Loureiro Fernández (@adriana.loureiro)received an honorable mention for her portfolio "Paradise Lost," recounting her country's descent into political and economic chaos.

American photojournalist Nicole Tung (@nicoletung) also received an honorable mention for the second time, having previously been honored in 2017. Her portfolio focuses on conflict and migration, including work from Ukraine, Syria, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

We're thrilled to announce that German photojournalist Johanna Maria Fritz (@johannamaria_fritz) has been named the winner of the 2025 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award for her portfolio "The Last Hospital," depicting life inside one of Sudan's last functioning public hospitals amid the country's devastating humanitarian crisis.

Venezuelan photojournalist Adriana Loureiro Fernández (@adriana.loureiro)received an honorable mention for her portfolio "Paradise Lost," recounting her country's descent into political and economic chaos.

American photojournalist Nicole Tung (@nicoletung) also received an honorable mention for the second time, having previously been honored in 2017. Her portfolio focuses on conflict and migration, including work from Ukraine, Syria, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

We're thrilled to announce that German photojournalist Johanna Maria Fritz (@johannamaria_fritz) has been named the winner of the 2025 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award for her portfolio "The Last Hospital," depicting life inside one of Sudan's last functioning public hospitals amid the country's devastating humanitarian crisis.

Venezuelan photojournalist Adriana Loureiro Fernández (@adriana.loureiro)received an honorable mention for her portfolio "Paradise Lost," recounting her country's descent into political and economic chaos.

American photojournalist Nicole Tung (@nicoletung) also received an honorable mention for the second time, having previously been honored in 2017. Her portfolio focuses on conflict and migration, including work from Ukraine, Syria, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

We're thrilled to announce that German photojournalist Johanna Maria Fritz (@johannamaria_fritz) has been named the winner of the 2025 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award for her portfolio "The Last Hospital," depicting life inside one of Sudan's last functioning public hospitals amid the country's devastating humanitarian crisis.

Venezuelan photojournalist Adriana Loureiro Fernández (@adriana.loureiro)received an honorable mention for her portfolio "Paradise Lost," recounting her country's descent into political and economic chaos.

American photojournalist Nicole Tung (@nicoletung) also received an honorable mention for the second time, having previously been honored in 2017. Her portfolio focuses on conflict and migration, including work from Ukraine, Syria, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

We're thrilled to announce that German photojournalist Johanna Maria Fritz (@johannamaria_fritz) has been named the winner of the 2025 Anja Niedringhaus Courage in Photojournalism Award for her portfolio "The Last Hospital," depicting life inside one of Sudan's last functioning public hospitals amid the country's devastating humanitarian crisis.

Venezuelan photojournalist Adriana Loureiro Fernández (@adriana.loureiro)received an honorable mention for her portfolio "Paradise Lost," recounting her country's descent into political and economic chaos.

American photojournalist Nicole Tung (@nicoletung) also received an honorable mention for the second time, having previously been honored in 2017. Her portfolio focuses on conflict and migration, including work from Ukraine, Syria, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

Meet Elaheh and Elnaz Mohammadi of Iran, the first sisters in the IWMF's history to receive the Courage in Journalism Award in the same year. The sisters first made headlines in 2022 for their coverage of the death of Mahsa Amini, an event that catalyzed Iran's “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. Elaheh was jailed for 18 months for her coverage of the movement, and Elnaz bravely continued reporting on the movement under intense surveillance. Amid the Iranian government's subsequent crackdown on dissidents and journalists, the Mohammadi sisters have continued to fearlessly cover police brutality, corruption, and social justice in Iran. Learn more about them at the link in our bio!

The @committeetoprotectjournalists was recently designated as an "undesirable" organization by the Russian government – a label also given to the IWMF earlier this year. This cascading effect sends a chilling message that the Kremlin is mounting its efforts to suppress free speech and silence dissent. Together with our partners in the Journalist Assistance Network, we urge Russia to reverse this designation and cease attacks on press freedom."

Meet 2026 Courage in Journalism Awardee @bygeorgiafort, an independent journalist from the U.S. who made headlines earlier this year when she was arrested by federal law enforcement after reporting on an anti-ICE protest in Minnesota. She also grabbed national attention in 2020 for her frontline coverage of the murder of George Floyd and the sentencing of Derek Chauvin, where she was one of only two journalists in the courtroom. She is a Midwest Emmy Award winner, media entrepreneur, and founder of BLCK Press and the Center for Broadcast Journalism. Her work focuses on policing, social justice, and community impact in and around Minnesota. Learn more about Georgia's remarkable courage at the link in our bio.

Newsroom Safety Across America is headed to Texas next month! We'll be in Austin on June 3 and El Paso on June 4, offering free safety training to all freelance and staff journalists in the area. Register at the link in our bio!

Newsroom Safety Across America is headed to Texas next month! We'll be in Austin on June 3 and El Paso on June 4, offering free safety training to all freelance and staff journalists in the area. Register at the link in our bio!

Today is the final day to sign up for our NSAA training in Charlottesville, VA! This training is free to all freelance and newsroom journalists in the area who want to learn more about reporting safety best practices and develop safety protocols for reporting in the field. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/NSAA-Charlottesville

The final story in our #CheckYourBylines campaign comes from ¡Exprésate! Fellows @antoine8matos and Sandra Gayou in Yucatán, Mexico. Their documentary for @fabricadeperiodismo's La Jornada del Campo highlights the work of local women activists and examines the environmental and social impacts of the Tren Maya development project.

Local media is a lifeline for communities around the world—amplifying voices and helping protect their homes. We encourage you to keep checking your bylines and support the journalists creating media by and for their communities. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUVW5COACi4

The final story in our #CheckYourBylines campaign comes from ¡Exprésate! Fellows @antoine8matos and Sandra Gayou in Yucatán, Mexico. Their documentary for @fabricadeperiodismo's La Jornada del Campo highlights the work of local women activists and examines the environmental and social impacts of the Tren Maya development project.

Local media is a lifeline for communities around the world—amplifying voices and helping protect their homes. We encourage you to keep checking your bylines and support the journalists creating media by and for their communities. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUVW5COACi4

The final story in our #CheckYourBylines campaign comes from ¡Exprésate! Fellows @antoine8matos and Sandra Gayou in Yucatán, Mexico. Their documentary for @fabricadeperiodismo's La Jornada del Campo highlights the work of local women activists and examines the environmental and social impacts of the Tren Maya development project.

Local media is a lifeline for communities around the world—amplifying voices and helping protect their homes. We encourage you to keep checking your bylines and support the journalists creating media by and for their communities. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUVW5COACi4

We have no doubt: the best way to understand a community is to pay attention to the people reporting from within it.

For this round of #CheckYourBylines, our team is sharing a few local journalists and outlets they keep coming back to, from reporting on Indigenous communities and local politics to visual storytelling rooted in community life.

This week’s recommendations include @amandaloman, Sophie Peel, Brooklyn Brown(@bbcreativewerk), and Bella Davis, journalists whose work brings visibility, accountability, and context to the communities they cover.

👉 Check your bylines.

Who are you reading or listening to locally?

We have no doubt: the best way to understand a community is to pay attention to the people reporting from within it.

For this round of #CheckYourBylines, our team is sharing a few local journalists and outlets they keep coming back to, from reporting on Indigenous communities and local politics to visual storytelling rooted in community life.

This week’s recommendations include @amandaloman, Sophie Peel, Brooklyn Brown(@bbcreativewerk), and Bella Davis, journalists whose work brings visibility, accountability, and context to the communities they cover.

👉 Check your bylines.

Who are you reading or listening to locally?

We have no doubt: the best way to understand a community is to pay attention to the people reporting from within it.

For this round of #CheckYourBylines, our team is sharing a few local journalists and outlets they keep coming back to, from reporting on Indigenous communities and local politics to visual storytelling rooted in community life.

This week’s recommendations include @amandaloman, Sophie Peel, Brooklyn Brown(@bbcreativewerk), and Bella Davis, journalists whose work brings visibility, accountability, and context to the communities they cover.

👉 Check your bylines.

Who are you reading or listening to locally?

We have no doubt: the best way to understand a community is to pay attention to the people reporting from within it.

For this round of #CheckYourBylines, our team is sharing a few local journalists and outlets they keep coming back to, from reporting on Indigenous communities and local politics to visual storytelling rooted in community life.

This week’s recommendations include @amandaloman, Sophie Peel, Brooklyn Brown(@bbcreativewerk), and Bella Davis, journalists whose work brings visibility, accountability, and context to the communities they cover.

👉 Check your bylines.

Who are you reading or listening to locally?

🎙️This is what local reporting sounds like.

In this episode of @kqed_forum, #IWMF Women on the Ground fellow, Susan Britton, reports on efforts to help rebuild the Ukrainian town of Irpin while the war continues.

Stories like this connect global events to local communities ➡️ through the journalists documenting them in real time.

🎧 Listen to Amid War, Bay Area Architects Aid Reconstruction in Ukrainian Town -> bit.ly/IWMF_Reporting

•Check your bylines — and your airwaves.

🎙️This is what local reporting sounds like.

In this episode of @kqed_forum, #IWMF Women on the Ground fellow, Susan Britton, reports on efforts to help rebuild the Ukrainian town of Irpin while the war continues.

Stories like this connect global events to local communities ➡️ through the journalists documenting them in real time.

🎧 Listen to Amid War, Bay Area Architects Aid Reconstruction in Ukrainian Town -> bit.ly/IWMF_Reporting

•Check your bylines — and your airwaves.

🎙️This is what local reporting sounds like.

In this episode of @kqed_forum, #IWMF Women on the Ground fellow, Susan Britton, reports on efforts to help rebuild the Ukrainian town of Irpin while the war continues.

Stories like this connect global events to local communities ➡️ through the journalists documenting them in real time.

🎧 Listen to Amid War, Bay Area Architects Aid Reconstruction in Ukrainian Town -> bit.ly/IWMF_Reporting

•Check your bylines — and your airwaves.

Next up in our #CheckYourBylines spotlight is Women on the Ground fellow @shahrzad.rasekh, whose photo essay on a family of Ukrainian refugees resettling in Connecticut received first place in the photo essay category for the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists' annual Excellence in Journalism Contest. As part of our Women on the Ground cohort, Shahrzad was able to travel to Ukraine and trace the experiences of refugees from the frontlines to her local community. Read her award-winning piece in the @ctmirror!

Next up in our #CheckYourBylines spotlight is Women on the Ground fellow @shahrzad.rasekh, whose photo essay on a family of Ukrainian refugees resettling in Connecticut received first place in the photo essay category for the Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists' annual Excellence in Journalism Contest. As part of our Women on the Ground cohort, Shahrzad was able to travel to Ukraine and trace the experiences of refugees from the frontlines to her local community. Read her award-winning piece in the @ctmirror!