In a powerful tribute to unwavering courage and advocacy in the face of repression, journalists Alsu Kurmasheva and Pavel Butorin have been jointly awarded the prestigious World Press Freedom Award by the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.
This honor recognizes the couple, both journalists with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), not only for their professional work but for their tireless fight for the freedom of colleagues who have been wrongfully detained by foreign governments, a cause that has become deeply and tragically personal.
The foundation’s announcement highlighted the couple’s dual role as both reporters and relentless advocates.
“Both Alsu Kurmasheva and Pavel Butorin… have been tireless advocates for press freedom,” the statement read. “Together, they continue to shine a light on the plight of Americans — including journalists — who are wrongfully detained by foreign governments — and advocate for the release of journalists imprisoned by repressive regimes.” This work has taken on profound significance since Kurmasheva, a former CPJ International Press Freedom Awardee, was herself detained in Russia in 2023 on charges widely condemned as politically motivated, a stark reminder of the very dangers they have long worked to expose.
The award serves as a crucial international spotlight on Kurmasheva’s continued wrongful imprisonment. While her husband, Pavel Butorin, accepts this honor, he does so while advocating daily for her release.
Their story has become a poignant symbol of the extreme risks journalists face in exposing truth within authoritarian states and the agonizing personal toll it takes on their families.
The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, named for the American journalist murdered by ISIS in 2014, uses this award to amplify the cases of those who, like Foley, have been targeted for their work, ensuring their stories are not forgotten.
By bestowing this award upon Alsu Kurmasheva and Pavel Butorin, the foundation does more than celebrate their past contributions; it fortifies the global campaign for her freedom and for the safety of all journalists worldwide.
It is a recognition that the fight for press freedom is often waged at great personal sacrifice, and that the voices of those who defend this fundamental liberty, even from behind bars, are among the most vital and courageous of our time.
