Occupied Kashmir-based freelance photojournalist Musarat Zahra has been honored with the Meckler Award for her fearless and principled reporting, according to a foreign news agency.
Catherine Antonio, President of the Global Media Forum Training Group, praised Zahra’s dedication in a statement, highlighting her courage in documenting the reality of Kashmir’s situation. Antonio noted Zahra’s bold and creative photography as instrumental in bringing untold stories to the world, often at great personal risk.
Speaking at a virtual event, Musarat Zahra reflected on her mission as a journalist. “Our job is to uncover the truth, no matter the consequences,” Zahra said. Through her photography, she captures the resilience and struggles of Kashmiri women, sharing their untold narratives with the global audience.
However, Zahra’s fearless reporting has come at a cost. Authorities have summoned her multiple times, accusing her of spreading “misleading news.” In April this year, she faced arrest under allegations of illegal activities, which carry a potential seven-year prison sentence.
Zahra’s work has been widely recognized. Before this honor, she received the International Award for Courage from the International Women’s Media Foundation. She will officially receive the Meckler Award in a virtual ceremony scheduled for September 24.
The Meckler Award was established to honor the memory of a former North American editor of the French news agency AFP, who dedicated 29 years to journalism. The award is presented annually to journalists and photojournalists who display extraordinary bravery in the pursuit of truth.