The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) in Washington has named Iranian journalists Elaheh Mohammadi and Elnaz Mohammadi as the winners of the 2026 Courage in Journalism Award.
In a statement released on Thursday, May 14, the foundation announced: “It is with great pride that we announce the winners of the 2026 Courage in Journalism Awards are Elaheh Mohammadi and Elnaz Mohammadi from Iran.”
Elaheh Mohammadi, a reporter for the Ham-Mihan newspaper, traveled to Saqqez in 2022 to cover the funeral of Mahsa Amini. Her report, published at the onset of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, gained widespread international attention. She was subsequently arrested alongside Niloufar Hamedi and spent over a year in prison.
Elnaz Mohammadi, Elaheh’s sister and the social desk editor at Ham-Mihan, has also faced significant security and judicial pressure in recent years due to her media activities.
Each year, the IWMF presents this award to female journalists who continue their professional work and defend press freedom under difficult and dangerous conditions.
