Najam Sethi, Editor-in-Chief of Friday Times and Daily Times in Pakistan, has been awarded the 2009 Golden Pen of Freedom, the annual press freedom prize of the World Association of Newspapers.

Mr Sethi, whose newspapers advocate liberal and secular ideas in a country too-often torn by religious extremism, was honoured for his outstanding defence and promotion of press freedom under difficult circumstances and constant personal danger.

"Extremists have always used coercion to silence their critics and that is exactly what is happening now," Mr Sethi says. "This is a battle that the media and the country cannot afford to lose."

Due to the editorial policies of the newspapers, which condemn autocracy and religious fundamentalism, Mr Sethi has been at odds with both Pakistani authorities and religious groups for many years. He has been threatened with death by the Taliban and other radical Muslim groups, and has been jailed and beaten for offending the government.

The award will be presented at the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum, the global summit meetings of the world's press, to be held in Hyderabad, India, from 22 to 25 March next year (http://www.wanindia2009.com).

Source: WAN Press Release