Excellence in International Journalism and Human Rights Awards & Graduate Student Research Symposium

“Profiles in Journalistic Courage” 

Hall of the Nations | Texas Tech International Cultural Center 

Tuesday March 19, 2024 | 17:00 GMT/UTC | 10:30 PM, Kabul, Afghanistan |
11:00 AM, Lubbock, Texas | 8:00 PM, Moscow, Russia

This year we hosted 11 Afghan journalists and an interpreter/translator from around the country as our special guests. In 2021, They were all airlifted from Afghanistan by the US military in as the Taliban was taking over the country and erasing women, especially those who had said critical things about the Taliban. 

Our two awardees for the Excellence in International Journalism Award will be Saleha Soadat of Afghanistan and Marina Ovsyannikova, a Russian anti-war journalist who interrupted the national news in Moscow to protest the war in Ukraine. 

 
 

[ View the detailed schedule of events. ]

Overview of Agenda & Schedule:

Awards Ceremony at 11 a.m.

• • Welcome & Introductions: 11 a.m.
  • Award Presentations & Addresses: 12 p.m.
  • Discussion Q&A: 1 p.m.
  • Photos & Book Signing by Marina Ovsyannikova 1:20 p.m.
  • Lunch Buffet 1:20 p.m.
  • Presentation Sessions by Afghan Journalists: 1:50 p.m.
  • Closing Comments 3 p.m.

Reception at 6 p.m.

• • Dinner Buffet: 6 p.m.
  • Welcome & Introductions: 6 p.m.
  • Presentations & Performances: 7 p.m.
  • Book Signing by Prof. Amy Koerber: 8 p.m.
  • Closing Remarks: 8:10 p.m.

End of Symposium

Co-sponsors: The College of Media and Communication, the TTU Office of International Affairs, the Harris Institute for Hispanic and International Communication, the Department of Journalism and Creative Media Industries, the CoMC Graduate Program, the CoMC Center for Communication Research, and the William S. Morris Endowed Professorship.

Read about past events: 2023 | 2022 | 2021