Laureano Marquez is a writer from Venezuela
who uses humor in his political commentary.
"We are the voice for the ones who can't speak
out or don't have access to the media. In
my case, my work is humor and humor has always
been society's voice."
The Venezuelan government wants to prosecute
Marquez. He says the government's reaction
to his writing shows how freedom of expression
in Venezuela is deteriorating.
"Media outlets that have been critical of
the government have been shut down and also
some media outlets are practicing self censorship.
Protest is being criminalized so that people
are afraid to criticize the government."
Nadira Isayeva of Russia also faces prosecution.
She is editor-in-chief of a weekly newspaper
in the southern republic of Dagestan and has
written about how Russian security forces
combat Islamic militants. After publishing
an interview with a former guerrilla leader
who accused authorities of corruption, the
government accused her of being an extremist.
She faces the possibility of eight years in
prison, but says she feels vindicated by the
Press Freedom Award.
"I broke into tears because there was a lot
of misunderstanding about my personal position
and of the position of the newspaper in general."
Ethiopian authorities jailed Dawit Kebede
for nearly two years for his reporting on
the country's 2005 election violence. He remained
in Ethiopia, even though many of his colleagues
left the country.
"I always wanted to be a journalist. It was
the only thing in my mind."
Kebede says the government's response to his
work encourages him to continue.
"As far as the government trying to undermine
you, by different harassment, that's a recognition
that you're doing your professional duty."
Iranian journalist Mohammad Davari is serving
a five-year prison sentence and cannot personally
accept his award. Iranian authorities arrested
him last year on charges of "mutiny against
the regime," following his investigative report
on the abusive treatment of prisoners.
Joel Simon is the executive director of Committee
to Protect Journalists.
"Davari is paying a terrible personal price
for doing what journalists are supposed to
do, exposing corruption and abuse."
The other three award winners face the same
threat of prison, but they say that will not
stop them from reporting the truth.
Elizabeth Lee, VOA News