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Azerbaijani journalist Nargiz Absalamova, currently serving an eight-year prison sentence, has received the 2025 Free Media Award for her fearless reporting with Abzas Media. The award, presented by Fritt Ord and Germany’s ZEIT Stiftung Bucerius, was accepted in Hamburg by Abzas Media director Gunel Safarova on Absalamova’s behalf.
In a message from prison, Absalamova described how imprisonment had reshaped her understanding of journalism, transforming it from a profession into a vital mission. She expressed that every detained journalist deepens the collective silence imposed on society, warning that when the press is muted, an entire nation loses its voice.
Before her arrest, Absalamova was known for her investigative documentaries that exposed corruption, social inequality, and climate change. Her stories often amplified the experiences of marginalised women and youth in Azerbaijan, earning significant public attention.
Detained in December 2023 on alleged currency-smuggling charges and later sentenced in June 2025, Absalamova remains a symbol of resilience. The awarding bodies highlighted the gendered nature of Azerbaijan’s repression, noting efforts to push women out of public life. Her words, “these walls cannot kill words,” capture the enduring fight for independent journalism.
To read the full story – https://tjcproject.org/awarding-courageous-voice-to-nargiz-absalamova/