Golden Pen of Freedom

The Golden Pen of Freedom recognises the outstanding action, in writing or deed, of an individual, a group or an institution in the cause of press freedom. Behind the names of the laureates lie stories of extraordinary personal courage and self-sacrifice, stories of jail, beatings, bombings, censorship, exile and murder.

by Vincent Peyrègne vincent.peyregne@wan-ifra.org | February 5, 2022

The Golden Pen of Freedom is awarded in recognition of the outstanding action, in writing or deed, of an individual, a group or an institution in the cause of press freedom. Laureates are nominated by the World Editors Forum Board. Members of the Supervisory Board of WAN-IFRA approve the choice.

One of the objectives of the Golden Pen is to turn the spotlight of public attention on repressive governments and journalists who fight them.

Since 1961, the Golden Pen has turned the spotlight of public attention on repressive governments and journalists who fight them. The Pen has, on several occasions, secured the release of a publisher or journalist from jail or afforded him or her a degree of protection against further persecution.


Read more about the Golden Pen of Freedom Award nomination procedure


Vincent Peyrègne

Vincent Peyrègne took up duties as Chief Executive Officer of WAN-IFRA in 2012. Prior to joining WAN-IFRA, he was Head of Development at Edipresse in Switzerland (now Tamedia) with responsibility for audience insights, editorial marketing research and product development, before joining the office of the French Ministry of Culture and Communication.

vincent.peyregne@wan-ifra.org