One of the world’s most prestigious awards for journalistic excellence has been bestowed upon Atwar Bhajat, the Iraqi journalist and Al Arabiya reporter who became the face of the Iraqi conflict for millions of viewers across the Arab region.
Bhajat was honoured posthumously with the Louis M. Lyons Award for Conscience and Integrity in Journalism by The Nieman Foundation during a ceremony at Harvard University last week.
On 22 February 2006, Atwar was abducted and murdered along with colleagues Adnan Khairalah and Khalid Mohmaoud Al Falahi from Al Arabiya while reporting the bombing of the sacred Shia shrines in Samara.
The Lyons award recognizes Bahjat's courage in reporting objectively on events in her native Iraq, despite the violent environment of post-invasion sectarianism. A committee of the 2006 Class of Nieman Foundation Fellows at Harvard University chose Bahjat for the award, which is named in honour of former Nieman curator Louis M. Lyons.
The Nieman Foundation is considered a global benchmark for journalistic excellence and was established in 1937 in order to elevate and promote quality standards in the field of journalism. The first Lyons award in 1964 honoured American reporters covering the Vietman conflict. Atwar’s award in 2006 is testament that journalists continue to pay the ultimate price for pursuing the truth in times of war.
Born to both Sunni and Shia parents in 1976, Atwar was a holder of a BA in Arabic Literature from Baghdad University. She began her career in print media before moving to Al Jazeera, and later, to Al Arabiya. Her reporting of events in Iraq demonstrated a commitment to bridging the same Sunni - Shia divide as her parents had done.
Jihad Ballout, Corporate Communications Director at Al Arabiya says: “This internationally renowned and prestigious award for Conscience and Integrity in Journalism stands as a testament to Atwar’s dedication to professionalism and her legacy will act as an inspiration for generations of journalists.”
