The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has named Mazin Sidahmed, Documented’s Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, as the recipient of the 2024 Freedom of the Press Local Champion Award, which honors a journalist, attorney, or organization whose work has had a significant impact locally.
“This year’s honorees embody the tenacity, commitment, and courage that underpin a free press,” stated Stephen J. Adler, chair of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. “Across journalism and the law, their work shows us the true power of the First Amendment to make informed democracy a reality.”
Prior to founding Documented in 2018, Sidahmed worked for Guardian US in New York during the 2016 U.S. elections, where he covered issues including surveillance, criminal justice, and the rise of hate crimes following the election. He left the news desk to join the award-winning Guardian Mobile Innovation Lab, where he helped develop new mobile-specific story formats. He started his career writing for The Daily Star in Beirut, Lebanon. He reported on the Syrian refugee crisis, weapons transfers to Lebanon, and the plight of migrant domestic workers. Upon moving to the U.S., he also contributed to Politico New York, where he covered real estate with a focus on the New York City Housing Authority and city politics.
The other honorees of the 2024 Freedom of the Press awards include:
- Stephen Paul Engelberg, Editor-in-Chief, ProPublica
- Maria Hinojosa, Founder and President, Futuro Media
- Josie Huang, Reporter, LAist
- Sisi Wei, Editor-in-Chief, The Markup
