The International Press Institute (IPI) has given its 2004 Free Media Pioneer Award to the Central Asian and Southern Caucasian Freedom of Expression Network (CASCFEN).

Founded in 2001, CASCFEN is a network of journalist associations from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan whose aim is to "protect freedom of expression and of the press in the region."

IPI says CASCFEN works in a region known for harsh government restrictions on independent and pro-opposition media. "CASCFEN strives to improve the dissemination of news and information across national borders and actively participates in efforts to further and safeguard press freedom in the region," the institute notes. IPI will present CASCFEN with its award at its upcoming World Congress in Warsaw, Poland, on 18 May.

Previous winners of the Free Media Pioneer Award are the Media Council of Tanzania, the independent online newspaper Malaysiakini.com and the Institute of Press and Society (Instituto Prensa y Sociedad, IPYS).

Visit these links:

- IPI: http://www.freemedia.at/Protests%202004/pr_Free_Media_Pioneer_2004.htm

- CASCFEN: http://www.cascfen.org