(CRN/IFEX) – The following is a 20 April 2004 CRN press release: Burke, Virginia, USA April 20, 2004 Cartoonist from Zimbabwe receives global award for “Courage in Editorial Cartooning” It is announced by the Cartoonists Rights Network International of Burke, Virginia that they have given their annual award for “Courage in Editorial Cartooning” to a […]
(CRN/IFEX) – The following is a 20 April 2004 CRN press release:
Burke, Virginia, USA
April 20, 2004
Cartoonist from Zimbabwe receives global award for “Courage in Editorial Cartooning”
It is announced by the Cartoonists Rights Network International of Burke, Virginia that they have given their annual award for “Courage in Editorial Cartooning” to a Zimbabwean cartoonist, Mr. Tony Namate.
During 2003 and well into 2004, Mr. Namate has been under constant threat of physical harm and arrest by the repressive regime of Robert Mugabe in Harare, Zimbabwe. After publicly refusing to comply with what he felt was an illegal new law requiring all journalists to register with the government, Namate was subjected to televised threats by various Ministry officials, calling him disloyal and accusing him of working to undermine the government. These accusations have become code words that signal imminent arrest. Journalists in Zimbabwe have been beaten, arrested and otherwise abused during recent political upheavals.
Namate had gone on public record that to register with the government was tantamount to the Nazis in Germany during World War II requiring Jews to wear Star of David arm bands. The offices of his paper, The Daily News, were bombed and many of its investigative and editorial reporters were arrested recently.
Mr. Tony Namate has received this award, given each year to an editorial or social cartoonist who demonstrates exceptional courage in the face of overwhelming power that seeks to keep them silent. Namate has consistently refused to be intimidated and continues to draw powerful and cutting edge cartoons about the Mugabe regime, and life for the common man under its harsh policies.
CRN is the world’s only human rights and freedom of expression organization dedicated exclusively to the protection and monitoring of editorial and social cartoonists who find themselves in trouble because of the power and influence of their cartoons.
CRN has affiliate organizations and country representatives all over the world. From their Eastern European Regional Office in Romania, CRN sponsors an annual cartoon competition called “Freedom in Journalism”, now in its third year.
Tony Namate will be attending the annual convention of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists in Lexington, Kentucky from April 22 to 25, 2004. He will be receiving his award at a special dinner given to honor him. CRN President, Mr. Kevin Kallaugher, cartoonist for the Baltimore Sun and The Economist magazine, will hand out the award.
Web copies of Namate’s cartoons are available by contacting CRN.
