National

Shermeen Obaid-Chinoy wins Knight International Journalism Award

June 1, 2017

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Documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was one of two recipients of the Knight International Journalism Award on May 31 in Washington, DC.

The International Centre for Journalists (ICFJ) recognised Obaid-Chinoy’s decades-long career, which led to a legislative change in her home country of Pakistan. It also awarded Syrian photojournalist Karam Al-Masri for his work in photographing war-torn Aleppo.

“I began writing for newspapers in Pakistan when I was 14 years old and produced my first documentary film at the age of 21. Throughout my career I have strived to investigate stories that make people deeply uncomfortable, in the hope that they will spark conversations that will eventually lead to changes in attitudes,” said Obaid-Chinoy.

A two-time Oscar winner, she is best known for her 2015 documentary A Girl in the River, which took on the issue of honour killings in Pakistan and led parliament to pass a law criminalising honour killings.

The Knight International Journalism Award recognises media professionals who are passionate about outstanding reporting that makes a difference.

“At great personal risk, Obaid-Chinoy and Al Masri faced terrorism head on, getting behind the scenes to chronicle untold abuses,” said ICFJ president Joyce Barnathan.

Obaid-Chinoy, Al Masri and other winners will be celebrated on November 9 at ICFJ’s Awards Dinner, hosted by CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer in Washington.