In recognition of her bravery, the Palestinian photojournalist who was martyred in Gaza receives a global award
A symbolic tribute to courage and sacrifice
In a poignant gesture to honor journalistic heroism, Mariam Abu Dagga—an Independent Arabia correspondent who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike on a hospital in southern Gaza—has been posthumously awarded the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero prize.The International Press Institute (IPI), in partnership with International Media Support (IMS), announced that this highest distinction is bestowed in tribute to her “courage and extraordinary perseverance in defending press freedom even unto death.”
They explained that her killing has come to symbolize the ever-rising dangers faced by Gaza’s journalists: from targeted attacks to forced displacement and deprivation of essentials.
Among global peers defying suppression
Mariam Abu Dagga was selected alongside six other distinguished journalists from around the world—from Georgia, the United States, Peru, Hong Kong, Ukraine, and Ethiopia—each of whom continued their work despite repression, imprisonment, or serious threats. The award citation highlights that she repeatedly put her life at risk to document Gaza’s unfolding tragedies through her lens.
Among the other honorees is Viktoriia Roshchyna, a Ukrainian journalist who died while in Russian custody on 29 September 2024. During the announcement, the organisers emphasized how urgent it is to bolster protection for those reporting from conflict zones.
Voices of remembrance and resolve
Adhwan al-Ahmari, editor-in-chief of Independent Arabia, responded: “Mariam Abu Dagga was, for us, a symbol of courage, commitment and sacrifice in service of journalism. In one of the most hazardous environments possible, she showed the world a truthful, human portrait of civilian suffering.” He added that she epitomised the ideal of a free journalist who considered truth a sacred trust—and ultimately gave her life for that noble ideal.
Ceremony details and historical context
The formal award ceremony is scheduled for 24 October 2025 at the University of Vienna, taking place during IPI’s World Congress and the Media Innovation Festival. Since the prize’s inception in 2015, the IPI—with IMS—has honored more than 75 journalists worldwide. Last year, the award was especially dedicated to Palestinian reporters covering the Gaza conflict.
Mariam Abu Dagga, born in Khan Yunis in 1992, contributed to both the Associated Press and Independent Arabia. She fell in an Israeli double airstrike on Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on 25 August 2025. Her work had already earned her an internal award from the Associated Press for her coverage of malnourished children in Gaza.
From: independent