The Wire wins the International Press Institute's 2021 Free Media Pioneer Award

Digital news portal the Wire has won the 2021 Free Media Pioneer Award, the International Press Institute announced yesterday. The award was instituted in 1996 to "recognise media organisations that are innovating for better journalism and news access, or working to ensure freer and more independent media in their country or region".

In its announcement, the International Press Institute pointed at how the Wire "deliberately eschewed traditional corporate- and advertiser-driven funding in favour of a non-profit, audience-centred model". It also noted how the Wire has been a "growing target of government harassment", with cases filed against it for its reportage and the targeting of the phones of its founders by Pegasus malware.

The institute's executive director Barbara Trionfi said, "The Wire is a leading force in India’s digital news transformation and its commitment to quality, independent journalism is an inspiration to IPI members around the world."

The award will be presented on September 16 in Vienna.