International Freedom of Expression Exchange: The global network for free expression
15 May 2007
RAYMOND LOUW WINS SOUTH AFRICAN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Raymond Louw, a South African "media warhorse" who has fought a battle against insult laws in the region, has won the 2006 Mondi Shanduka Lifetime Achievement Award, given by Mondi Shanduka Newsprint and the Newspaper Association of South Africa in April.
Louw is credited for making the "Rand Daily Mail" "the quality of newspaper it was," as editor of the publication from 1966 to 1977. He chaired the Campaign for Open Media (1985 to 1994) and has contributed significantly to the Freedom of Expression Institute, which he led for several years. He also chaired the Media Defence Trust (1988 to 1994), which funded journalists facing repression. In 1994, Louw was made a Fellow of the International Press Institute.
Louw continues to "fight the good fight." Today he's part of the South African chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa. He leads a battle against "insult laws" in African countries that deem criticism of their governments and leaders as a criminal offence. He has also been heavily involved in the South African National Editors' Forum campaign against unconstitutional apartheid era laws.
See: http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/15/14417.html for a list of all winners.
(15 May 2007)
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