Congrats to Fatuma Noor! - 27 Jun 2011

Congratulations to Kenya's Fatuma Noor who was awarded CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year for 2011. Noor was awarded for her investigative series covering the "Al-Shabaab" in Somalia. It takes great commitment and perseverance to carry out many journalistic functions within what is considered one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists. Now in its 16th year, the awards continues to recognise excellence in the media produced on the African continent.

The struggle for press freedom however, still runs strong across Africa with Ethiopian journalist, Reeyot Alemu being held incommunicado since last week Tuesday. She has been detained, according to CPJ, under the country's anti-terrorism law.

On a positive note, the newly re-elected UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon recently pledged in a meeting with CPJ and Reporters without Borders to make press freedom a priority during his term, addressing individual cases of press violations. Let us hope that these are not just empty words.