RSF Press Freedom Awards 2024: Ravish Kumar wins Independence Prize
The 32nd edition of the RSF Press Freedom Awards was held on 3 December 2024, at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC. Organised by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the ceremony honoured journalists and media outlets for their exceptional contributions to press freedom worldwide. Among the laureates was Indian journalist Ravish Kumar, who received the prestigious Independence Prize.
Ravish Kumar, known for his fearless journalism, has become a symbol of resistance against political and media suppression in India. Despite facing severe challenges, including being ousted from NDTV after its takeover by a businessman close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and enduring relentless smear campaigns, Kumar has continued to champion independent journalism. Through his YouTube channel, which boasts over 12 million subscribers, he persistently raises critical issues, amplifying the voices of the marginalised and defending the principles of press freedom.
Other awardees included Palestinian journalist Waël al-Dahdouh (Courage Prize) for his resilience in reporting amidst personal losses during the Gaza conflict, Ukrainian journalist Natalya Gumenyuk (Impact Prize) for documenting war crimes through The Reckoning Project, Burkinabe journalist Mariam Ouédraogo (Mohamed Maïga Prize) for her investigations into terrorism-related sexual violence, and Belgian photojournalist Gaël Turine (Lucas Dolega-SAIF Photo Prize) for his striking series on the opioid epidemic in the United States.
The ceremony featured notable speakers, including Lulu Garcia-Navarro, Michel Martin, and Aïssa Maïga, and recognised the contributions of 18 journalists, two media outlets, and five photojournalists from 22 countries.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Rupee falls 9 paise to all-time low of 90.58 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): Rupee depreciated 9 paise to an all-time low of 90.58 against US dollar in early trade on Monday, weighed down by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal and persistent foreign fund outflows.
Forex traders said rupee is trading with a negative bias as investors are in wait and watch mode and awaiting cues from the India-US trade deal front.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 90.53 against the US dollar, then fell further to an all-time intraday low of 90.58 against the greenback, registering a fall of 9 paise over its previous close.
On Friday, the rupee had slipped 17 paise to close at an all-time low of 90.49 against the American currency.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading 0.05 per cent lower at 98.35.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 0.52 per cent at USD 61.44 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share benchmark index Sensex was trading 298.86 points lower at 84,968.80, while the Nifty was down 121.40 points at 25,925.55.
Foreign Institutional Investors sold equities worth Rs 1,114.22 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.
"FPIs continue to be in selling mode in equity and debt while RBI has been selling dollars to fund their long positions," said Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP.
