The World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC) honoured Alexei Simonov, President of the Glasnost Defense Foundation (GDF), with its 2009 Dana Bullen Press Freedom Advocacy Award on 4 December.

GDF was created in 1991 as Russia's first independent press freedom defense organisation.

"We are especially proud to give the second annual award for press freedom advocacy . . . to Alexei Simonov in recognition of all his often frustrating but determined work to keep the promise of press freedom alive in Russia," said Ronald Koven, European Representative of WPFC.

In a video acceptance speech, Simonov asked participants to stand for a moment of silence for the more than 200 journalists killed in Russia since 1993.

The award carries an honorarium of US$1,000.