Call for more international support for exile radios after station director wins award

November 6, 2009

Reporters Without Borders congratulates Kim Seong-Min, founder and director of the Seoul-based Free North Korea Radio, on winning the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy’s Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award. The foundation announced today that he is to be this year’s laureate.

“We urge the international community to be much more supportive of the North Korean exile journalists who use radio stations to defy the relentless censorship imposed by Kim Jong-il,” Reporters Without Borders said.

“Stations such as Free North Korea Radio, Radio Free Chosun, Open Radio North Korea and North Korea Reform Radio are the best way to open a breach in Pyongyang’s mind-destroying propaganda,” the press freedom organisation continued. “We also urge the South Korean authorities to support their efforts to be heard by more North Koreans.”

In today’s announcement, the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy said Kim Seong-Min was being awarded the prize for his “courageous defiance” of the North Korean regime and for his efforts to provide independent news and information to the North Korean people. Reporters Without Borders supported his candidacy.

Reporters Without Borders provides financial support to three North Korean exile radio stations and has just launched this video appeal on their behalf:

More information about the award:

http://www.tfd.org.tw/english/actions.php?id=10923


For more information contact:
Reporters without Borders
Phone: 33 1 44 83 84 84
Website: www.rsf.org