/CNW/ - Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE)
is proud to recognize international journalists Emilio Gutierrez Soto,
Luis Horacio Nájera, Serge Sabouang, Robert Mintya and the late Bibi
Ngota with the 2010 International Press Freedom Awards, to be presented
at the CJFE Gala: A Night to Honour Fearless Reporting. These courageous
journalists are chosen for their extraordinary courage and overcoming
tremendous odds to report on controversial stories despite dangerous
circumstances.

The journalists we are honouring have bravely put their personal safety
at risk to tell stories the world needs to hear, said Carol Off, Chair
of the CJFE Gala committee. Our 2010 honourees have defiantly devoted
themselves to freedom of expression, proving that the truth will not be
silenced. Sadly, one of our awards will be presented posthumously and
two in absentia, underscoring the high price that these
journalists have paid.

The International Press Freedom Awards recognize the strength and
bravery of international journalists who overcome massive obstacles to
deliver news. In the face of judicial, physical or life-endangering
threats, these journalists work tirelessly so that news media remain
safe.

CJFE Gala: A Night to Honour Fearless Reporting
November 25,
2010, Toronto
The 13th annual CJFE Gala will be held
at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto on Thursday, November 25, 2010. A
cocktail reception begins at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner and award
presentations at 7:00 p.m.

2010 International Press Freedom Award Winners
Luis Horacio Nájera
(Mexico) is a veteran journalist who spent more than a decade reporting
for La Reforma media group in Ciudad Juarez and other hotspot areas
along the Mexican-US border. Throughout his career he has dedicated
himself to investigating politically sensitive issues ranging from
government corruption to the trafficking of drugs, people and weapons,
until fears for his life and his familys safety forced him to seek
asylum in Canada.

Emilio Gutierrez Soto (Mexico) was a correspondent for the
Ascension bureau of El Diario, a daily newspaper based in Ciudad
Juarez in the North-Western border state of Chihuahua. After writing a
number of stories that offended the Mexican military he was forced to
flee Mexico with his son and requested asylum in the United States. He
spent seven months in an immigration and customs detention center before
being released on bond. He is currently awaiting his asylum hearing.

Serge Sabouang (Cameroon) is the publisher of the bimonthly
newspaper La Nation and presides over the ethics board of Union
des Journalists Libres du Cameroun. Robert Mintya (Cameroon)
is the publisher of the weekly Le Devoir, a newspaper known for
its coverage of political events. Bibi Ngota (Cameroon) was the
editor of the Cameroon Express. All three men were arrested in
February 2010, after obtaining, but not publishing, a government
document that allegedly implicates a top presidential aide of influence
peddling and corruption. They were charged with imitating the signature
of a member of government. Ngota died in prison from undisclosed causes
on April 22, 2010. Sabouang and Mintya are being held at a pre-trial
detention center and face up to 15 years in jail.

About Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. CJFEboldly
champions the free expression rights of journalists and media workers
around the world. In Canada, we monitor, defend and promote free
expression and access to information. We encourage and support
individuals and groups to be vigilant in the protection of their own and
others free expression rights. We are active participants and builders
of the global free expression community.

The CJFE awards gala is made possible by the generous support of
sponsors. Potential sponsors can visit www.cjfe.org
for information.