The Peter Mackler Award
The Peter Mackler award honors journalists who fight courageously and ethically to report the news in countries where freedom of the press is either not guaranteed or not recognized. The award was founded by the Mackler-Antoine family after Macker's sudden death in June 2008.
Mackler strongly believed that practicing fair and accurate journalism was not only a great service one could do for others, but that anyone could translate this into what he dubbed "life skills". The ability to communicate effectively, to ask the right questions, to think independently, to present all the facts in an unbiased way are tools that anyone could use.
Mackler also believed that anyone, no matter their country of origin, had a right to unrestricted access to information and news. He held in high regard those who sought to pursue those principles even when their work placed them at risk.
Through this award, Mackler's legacy and hardwork continue to encourage young reporters. The award is administered by the US branch of Reporters Without Border, an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of journalists and freedom of the press world wide.
From left to right: Camille Mackler, Project Director Peter Mackler Award, J.S. Tissainayagam, Sri Lanka reporter First year recipient of the award, Lauren Mackler, Co-founder of the Award and GMF Director, Ilya Barabanov, Russian investigative reporter, 2011 recipient of the Peter Mackler Award, Catherine Antoine, GMF President and Clothilde Le Coz, Reporter without Borders USA.