Watchdog

Writers from 19 countries have received 2012 Hellman/Hammett grants for their commitment to free expression.

The award is administered by the New York-based group Human Rights Watch (HRW) and is given annually to writers who have been targets of political persecution or human rights abuses.

This year's 41 honorees include Dovletmyrat Yazkuliyev, a freelance contributor for RFE/RL's Turkmen Service.

HRW says Yazkuliyev is "known for his reporting on sensitive issues in Turkmenistan."

In 2011, Yazkuliyev was arrested, tried, and convicted of "influencing or abetting an attempted suicide by a family member."

Most observers say the charge was official retribution for his reporting.

He received a presidential pardon in October 2011.

Those honored also include three Iranians, two Pakistanis, and one Tajik.

The awards are worth up to $10,000 each.

Reporters Without Borders, "Le Monde," and TV5Monde have awarded their annual Press Freedom Prize to the Afghan daily "8Sobh" and Syrian journalist Mazen Darwish.

The prize committee paid tribute to the daily "8Sobh" as "living evidence that freely-reported quality journalism can develop in the most difficult corners of the planet.”

It honored Darwish, who has been imprisoned since February, for "displaying extraordinary courage in the face of danger."

"8Sobh" editor in chief Parwiz Kawa told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan that journalists in Afghanistan faced threats and intimidation both from officials and the Taliban.

Since 1992, Reporters Without Borders has been honoring journalists and news media across the world for the defense and promotion of press freedom.