Date: Dec 12, 2012
Source: The Daily Star
Farzat receives prize for Syrian political cartoons

BEIRUT: Syrian cartoonist Ali Farzat was named winner of the Gebran Tueni Award Tuesday, the anniversary of the death of the late politician and journalist.

 

The annual prize is awarded by the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers and An-Nahar newspaper to a media professional who exemplifies the values of Tueni.

 

Addressing a news conference at the An-Nahar building in Downtown Beirut, MP Naila Tueni praised Farzat for his work.

 

“Today, we grant this prize to [the] struggler who fought injustice, oppression and slavery only with his pen. He hoped that he could carry his country forward to a more free and open atmosphere,” Tueni said.

 

In a taped message from an undisclosed location, Farzat said he was honored to accept the prize “which is a compass for artists and journalists.” Last year, the cartoonist was kidnapped and beaten in what he called an attempt by the Syrian regime to silence him.