Inday Espina Varona bags Reporters Without Borders’ Prize for Independence award

Veteran journalist Inday Espina Varona. Screenshot from Varona’s Facebook account.

Filipino veteran journalist Inday Espina Varona bagged the Prize for Independence award at the 2018 Press Freedom Awards, the Paris-based group Reporters Without Borders said on Friday.

In a Twitter post, the group said the Prize for Independence was awarded to journalists who “resist, financial, political, economic or religious pressure.”

“The Prize for Independence, which is given to journalists who resist financial, political, economic or religious pressure, has been awarded to the Philippine journalist @indayevarona,” Reporters Without Borders said.

The Prize for Independence, which is given to journalists who resist financial, political, economic or religious pressure, has been awarded to the Philippine journalist @indayevarona.#RSFAwards2018 pic.twitter.com/T7GFTeG5dm

— RSF (@RSF_inter) November 8, 2018

Reporters Without Borders gave the award to Varona, citing her fearless reports on sensitive issues like child prostitution, violence against women, LGBT issues and the conflict in Mindanao.

“A veteran journalist, @indayevarona has done a lot of reporting on issues that are sensitive in the Philippines, such as child prostitution, violence against women, LGBT issues and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on the island of Mindanao,” it added.

Reporters Without Borders is an organization that “conducts political advocacy” on issues about freedom of information and press freedom. /jpv