Alt News co-founder, Mohammed Zubair, wins ‘Freedom of Expression Award’

London: Mohammed Zubair, the co-founder of Alt News, was honoured with the 2023 Freedom of Expression Award in journalism by the London-based non-profit organization, Index on Censorship.

Zubair's commitment to debunking misinformation, particularly from influential members of the ruling party in India, garnered him the prestigious accolade.

Index on Censorship, which advocates for freedom of expression globally, applauded Zubair's resilience in the face of significant threats. The award ceremony, recognizing impactful contributions in the fight against censorship, awarded Zubair in the journalism category.

Zubair, who faced a 24-day jail term last year, expressed gratitude, stating that the award serves as a "flicker of hope" for his young colleagues combating the challenges of fake news and disinformation in India.

In a video shared by the organization, Zubair highlighted the emergence of fake news as a "Frankenstein monster" in the country.

The Index on Censorship, during the announcement of nominees in September, underscored Zubair's reporting on inter-communal violence, vigilante group activities, and the use of social media for hate speech.

The other nominees in the journalism category were Franco-Afghan journalist Mortaza Behboudi and Bilan Media, Somalia's first women-only media organization.

Zubair currently faces legal challenges, with six cases in Uttar Pradesh and one in Delhi related to allegations of promoting enmity between groups and hurting religious sentiments. Despite these hurdles, his dedication to truth-telling and freedom of expression remains unwavering.