DEFENDING JOURNALISTS
We Defend Journalists
The Fahmy Foundation was founded in 2015 by award-winning Egyptian-Canadian journalist Mohamed Fahmy after he was jailed alongside two of his colleagues in Egypt on politically motivated, trumped-up charges for doing his job. He was detained for 438 days facing a 7-year sentence, enduring grave human rights abuses before receiving a presidential pardon. A single call for freedom sparked a global movement. Within weeks, the campaign demanding their release reached over 100 million people on Twitter (X) alone, generating hundreds of millions of impressions and worldwide media coverage—turning one case into a global stand for press freedom.
From his prison cell, Fahmy understood the truth: this was never just about three journalists. It was about whether the world would defend the right to report—or remain silent. Sustained international advocacy and public pressure helped secure his freedom by exposing and challenging a fragile system. The Foundation carries that lesson forward—applying the same proven tactics to defend journalists today and advancing a simple truth: advocacy works, even against regimes that jail journalists on fabricated charges.
Throughout his career, Fahmy has lost colleagues targeted for their reporting by both state authorities and extremist groups, including journalist Steven Sotloff, who had visited Fahmy at his home in Egypt just days before entering Syria to cover the conflict. In August 2013, Sotloff was kidnapped in Aleppo by militants from ISIS. On September 2, 2014, ISIS released a video showing his execution—an event that underscored the grave and often deadly risks journalists face worldwide.
The Fahmy Foundation’s 2026 relaunch comes amid a historic global decline in press freedom. In 2025, the World Press Freedom Index rated worldwide press conditions as “difficult” for the first time since the Index began, underscoring the growing risks faced by journalists.
How We Mobilize: Defending Press Freedom
- Designing and leading global advocacy campaigns for detained and persecuted journalists
- Organizing peaceful vigils, rallies, and public demonstrations in support of press freedom
- Launching digital advocacy and public engagement initiatives to mobilize international awareness and action
- Providing emergency financial and non-financial assistance to journalists in distress worldwide through the Journalists in Distress Fund
- Supporting families and legal teams of detained journalists through advocacy and coordination
- Engaging directly with government officials, diplomatic missions, and international institutions
- Collaborating with international press freedom and human rights organizations, including partners with systematic access to prisons across multiple regions.
128
Journalists and media workers
killed in 2025
533
Imprisoned in 2025
Are you a journalist who needs help?
- Global toll on journalists: In 2025, 128 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide, and 533 were imprisoned, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
- Regions most affected: For the third consecutive year, the Middle East and Arab World remained the region most severely impacted by press freedom violations, while China continued to rank as the world’s largest jailer of journalists.
- Press freedom in Canada: Canada ranked 21st out of 180 countries on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, falling from 14th place the previous year.
Although Section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of expression, including freedom of the press, leading Canadian organizations—such as the Centre for Free Expression and World Press Freedom Canada—have raised concerns about surveillance laws and policy measures that may undermine journalists’ ability to protect confidential sources and report independently
- Tom Renner Investigative Reporting Award ( USA-2011)
Awarded for Death in the Desert, produced for CNN’s Freedom Project, in recognition of investigative reporting that exposed large-scale human trafficking networks operating in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
- Peabody Award (USA-2011)
Received as part of the CNN team for outstanding coverage of the Arab Spring uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa.
- Canadian Commission for UNESCO – World Press Freedom Award (Canada-2014)
Presented alongside a formal certificate from UNESCO in recognition of courage, resilience, and commitment to press freedom.
- Royal Television Society Journalism Judges’ Award (London-2015)
Awarded to Fahmy and his colleagues for their principled stand in defense of press freedom.
- Voltaire Human Rights Award (Australia-2015)
Presented by Liberty Victoria,Australia’s annual free speech and civil liberties organization to Fahmy and his colleagues recognizing outstanding contributions to freedom of expression and civil liberties.
- International Association of Press Clubs – Freedom of Speech Award (Poland-2015)
Recognizing sustained advocacy for freedom of expression and journalistic independence.
- Writers’ Union of Canada – Freedom to Read Award (Canada-2016)
Honoring leadership and advocacy in defense of free expression and the public’s right to information.
- British Columbia Civil Liberties Association – Liberty Award (Canada-2016)
Granted in recognition of Fahmy’s contributions to the advancement of human rights and civil liberties.
- Global toll on journalists: In 2025, 128 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide, and 533 were imprisoned, according to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).
- Regions most affected: For the third consecutive year, the Middle East and Arab World remained the region most severely impacted by press freedom violations, while China continued to rank as the world’s largest jailer of journalists.
- Press freedom in Canada: Canada ranked 21st out of 180 countries on the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, falling from 14th place the previous year.
- Tom Renner Investigative Reporting Award ( USA-2011)
Awarded for Death in the Desert, produced for CNN’s Freedom Project, in recognition of investigative reporting that exposed large-scale human trafficking networks operating in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
- Peabody Award (USA-2011)
Received as part of the CNN team for outstanding coverage of the Arab Spring uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa.
- Canadian Commission for UNESCO – World Press Freedom Award (Canada-2014)
Presented alongside a formal certificate from UNESCO in recognition of courage, resilience, and commitment to press freedom.
- Royal Television Society Journalism Judges’ Award (London-2015)
Awarded to Fahmy and his colleagues for their principled stand in defense of press freedom.
- Voltaire Human Rights Award (Australia-2015)
Presented by Liberty Victoria,Australia’s annual free speech and civil liberties organization to Fahmy and his colleagues recognizing outstanding contributions to freedom of expression and civil liberties.
- International Association of Press Clubs – Freedom of Speech Award (Poland-2015)
Recognizing sustained advocacy for freedom of expression and journalistic independence.
- Writers’ Union of Canada – Freedom to Read Award (Canada-2016)
Honoring leadership and advocacy in defense of free expression and the public’s right to information.
- British Columbia Civil Liberties Association – Liberty Award (Canada-2016)
Granted in recognition of Fahmy’s contributions to the advancement of human rights and civil liberties.