Russian journalist Ilya Barabanov, who has worked to expose official corruption, was awarded the Peter Mackler Award honouring courageous journalism yesterday, press freedom group Reporters Without Borders announced.

Mr Barabanov is deputy editor of The New Times, an opposition news weekly in Russia which has been searched and sued by the Russian government after critical stories.

“Barabanov, a young journalist, has displayed enormous courage in standing up for journalistic independence and the Russian people’s right to free and balanced news. These character traits are what the Peter Mackler Award seeks to encourage and reward,” said award director Camille Mackler.

Reporters Without Borders, which administers the prize, said Mr Barabanov’s nomination comes amid growing accusations of internet censorship and media intimidation in Russia.

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