The award, made during the opening ceremony of the 2025 World News Media Congress taking place in Krakow, Poland “recognises the immense sacrifices made by colleagues in the Ukrainian press since the 2022 Russian invasion, and pays tribute to their commitment, professionalism and dedication to upholding the highest standards – in wartime, as in peace.”
Accepting the award on behalf of media professionals across Ukraine, Oksana Brovko, CEO of the Association of Regional Press Publishers of Ukraine (AIRPPU), and Oleksii Pogorelov, President of the Ukraine Media Business Association (UMBA) – both WAN-IFRA member associations – underlined the motivation that inspires the independent press to continue its vital work.
“We don’t write because we are brave. We write because silence is not an option,” said Oksana Brovko. “Independent journalism is not a luxury – it is the infrastructure of freedom. In Ukraine, we are keeping it alive under fire. This award is not a celebration, it is a responsibility – to keep speaking, especially when silence is safer.”
“Let me convey the gratitude felt by those who work in these extremely difficult times for their audiences, covering both pain and grief,” said Oleksii Pogorelov. “Those who support the belief that Ukraine will pass the test and be a worthy member of the European and global community of independent countries, that are able to defend democratic values. Those who are having a hard time both morally and physically, but whose professional duty requires them to hold on and not show it.”
Announcing the award, Martha Ramos, editorial director of Organización Editorial Mexicana (OEM) in Mexico, and president of the World Editors Forum, WAN-IFRA’s community for leading global editors, praised Ukrainian colleagues, “who fully understand this is not a time to waver in our commitment to facts, purpose, and the values that define our democratic aspirations.
“This is a time to stand on the right side of history, to back truth, justice and the rule of law – in other words, to keep doing our job as journalists, despite it all.”
Local and regional journalists in Ukraine have tirelessly and courageously reported on the conflict since it began on 24th February 2022. Under constant threat of attack, fighting misinformation, disinformation and Russian propaganda, they also provide citizens with a vital resource of information and – increasingly – connection and community.
However, the challenges of wartime reporting remain immense. Newsrooms have been forced to relocate – often multiple times – and journalists with no hostile environment training have been thrust into life-threatening situations, particularly in Russian occupied and frontline areas. At least 16 journalists have been killed since the start of the war.
Added to this, the dramatic policy reversals of the new US administration to halt funding to independent media introduce yet another layer of precarity.
The war had already severely disrupted revenue streams, with many media switching to digital-only models in response. Some publications have gone from offering pure news to information on how residents can rebuild their communities left destroyed by the war. But most local and regional publications are operating with virtually no income and heavily rely on donations or help from non-profits.
Over 300 independent media have closed since the start of the war – a figure that risks increasing.
The impact of the ongoing conflict on news media, and how journalists and newsrooms have adapted to rise above constant threats and challenges, is being documented in scrupulous detail.
The Kiev-based Institute of Mass Information maintains an active Freedom of Speech Barometer, and consistently updates its study of Russia’s war crimes against media in Ukraine, launched on the first day of Russia’s invasion.
And in March of this year, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) published From Emergency Measures to Strategic Decisions, comprehensive research that reveals additional critical concerns for media.
“Your support, this recognition, are extremely important. It gives us strength. It confirms that Ukrainian media professionals are not alone. And, of course, you motivate us to continue doing our job and working for Ukrainians. Together, we will win!” affirmed Oleksii Pogorelov.
“In Ukraine, journalism is not just a profession. It is a way to survive, a way to preserve memory, and a way to resist,” said Oksana Brovko. “Because when journalists fall silent – the occupiers speak instead.”
The Golden Pen of Freedom is WAN-IFRA’s annual award recognising individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom. One of the objectives of the Golden Pen is to turn the spotlight of public attention on repressive governments and the journalists who fight them.
The laureate is nominated from a shortlist of candidates by the board of the World Editors Forum. The first Golden Pen of Freedom was awarded in 1961 to Ahmet Emin Yalman of Turkey. Last year’s award was given to Nicaraguan editor, Carlos Chamorro.
More on the Golden Pen of Freedom: www.wan-ifra.org/golden-pen-of-freedom
Acceptance speeches:
- Oksana Brovko:
https://wan-ifra.org/2025/05/oksana-brovko-ceo-of-the-association-of-independent-press-publishers-of-ukraine-2025-golden-pen-of-freedom-speech - Oleksii Pogorelov:
https://wan-ifra.org/2025/05/95919/
Martha Ramos’s award speech: https://wan-ifra.org/2025/05/2025-golden-pen-of-freedom-award-speech
Background profiles of the Ukrainian press:
- The Ukrainian Independent Media win WAN-IFRA’s 2025 Golden Pen of Freedom award
https://wan-ifra.org/2025/05/the-independent-press-of-ukraine-win-wan-ifras-2025-golden-pen-of-freedom-award - Beyond the call of duty: how Ukraine’s embattled journalists respond to war
https://wan-ifra.org/2025/04/beyond-the-call-of-duty-how-ukraines-embattled-journalists-respond-to-war/
We, the Media – support WAN-IFRA’s fundraising campaign on behalf of Ukrainian media: https://wan-ifra.org/initiatives/we-the-media/
Golden Pen of Freedom laureates 1961-2023
2024 Carlos Chamorro, Nicaragua
2023 Elahe Mohammadi and Niloofar Hamedi, Iran
2022 Gazeta Wyborcza and the Gazeta Wyborcza Foundation, Poland
2021 Jimmy Lai and the Apple Daily Newsroom, Hong Kong
2020 Jineth Bedoya Lima, Colombia
2019 Jamal Khashoggi (posthumous), Saudi Arabia
2018 Maria Ressa, Philippines
2017 Can Dündar, Turkey
2016 Dmitry Muratov, Russia
2015 Journalists killed in the line of duty, Worldwide
2014 Eskinder Nega, Ethiopia
2013 Than Htut Aung, Myanmar
2012 Anabel Hernández, México
2011 Dawit Isaak, Eritrea/Sweden
2010 Ahmad Zeidabadi, Iran
2009 Najam Sethi, Pakistan
2008 Li Changqing, China
2007 Shi Tao, China
2006 Akbar Ganji, Iran
2005 Mahjoub Mohamed Salih, Sudan
2004 Ruslan Sharipov, Uzbekistan
2003 Belarusian Association of Journalists, Belarus
2002 Geoffrey Nyarota, Zimbabwe
2001 Win Tin, San San Nweh, Burma
2000 Nizar Nayouf, Syria
1999 Faraj Sarkohi, Iran
1998 Doan Viet Hoat, Vietnam
1997 Naša borba, Feral Tribune, Oslobođenje, Bosnia-Herzogovina
1996 Yndamiro Restano Díaz, Cuba
1995 Gao Yu, China
1994 Omar Belhouchet, Algeria
1993 Pius Njawe, Cameroon
1992 Dai Qing, China
1991 Gitobu Imanyara, Kenya
1990 Luis Gabriel Cano, Colombia
1989 Sergei Grigoryants, Soviet Union
1988 Naji al-Ali (posthumous), Palestinian territories
1987 Juan Pablo Cárdenas, Chile
1986 Anthony Heard, South Africa
1985 Joaquin Roces, Philippines
1982 P. Joaquin Chamorro Barrios, Nicaragua
1981 José Javier Uranga, Spain
1980 Jacobo Timerman, Argentina
1979 Claude Bellanger (posthumous), France
1978 Donald Woods, Percy Qoboza, South Africa
1977 Robert High Lilley, Northern Ireland
1976 Raul Régo, Portugal
1975 Sang-Man Kim, South Korea
1974 Julio de Mesquita Neto, Brazil
1973 Anton Betz, Germany
1972 Hubert Beuve-Méry, France
1970 Alberto Gainza Paz, Argentina
1969 The Czechoslovak press, Czechoslovakia
1968 Christos Lambrakis, Greece
1967 Mochtar Lubis, Indonesia
1966 Jules Dubois, USA
1965 Esmond Wickremesing, Sri Lanka
1964 Gabriel Makoto, Democratic Republic of the Congo
1963 Guardian Sein Win, Burma
1961 Ahmet Emin Yalman, Turkey
Contact:
Andrew Heslop
Executive Director, Press Freedom
andrew.heslop@wan-ifra.org
The 76th World News Media Congress is taking place in the culturally rich city of Krakow, Poland from 4th to the 6th May, and will explore the ongoing transformation of news media, with Mastering Media’s New Playbook a central theme.
Through three specialist tracks and hands-on workshops, leaders of newsrooms and news organisations can explore the evolving strategies needed to build competitive and innovative spaces where essential journalism can thrive.
WAN-IFRA is the global organisation of the world’s press, comprising 3,000 news publishers and technology companies and 60 national publishers’ associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries. With a mission to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media, WAN-IFRA provides its members with expertise and services to innovate and prosper in a digital world and perform their crucial role in society.