Jailed Kashmiri journalist gets US Press Freedom Award

The National Press Club has awarded the jailed Kashmiri journalist Aasif Sultan with the prestigious John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award for bravely pushing to disclose the truth in trying circumstances. He was arrested last year for alleged links with militant groups.

Srinagar: Kashmiri journalist Aasif Sultan, who has been in jail since last year, was awarded the prestigious John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award by the National Press Club for bravely 'pushing to disclose the truth in trying circumstances'.

According to his parents, they got to know about their son's achievement only after three days due to the communications blackout in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Aasif's father Mohammed Sultan said, "I got to know through his friends that he has got an award."

"Many journalists came to our house and informed me about the same today. They congratulated me about Aasif's achievement. It is a great honour for me and my son," Sultan said.

Aasif, who worked with monthly magazine Kashmir Narrator, wrote a cover story in July last year about slain Hizbul commander Burhan Wani, whose death led to months of protests in Kashmir.

He was later arrested for alleged links with militant groups, an allegation his family strongly denies.

The US Press freedom award winner, Aasif, got married in 2016 and has a one-and-half-year old daughter.

The National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists and represents some 3,000 reporters, editors and professional communicators worldwide.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement.