The International Publishers Association (IPA) today announces the shortlist for the 2018 IPA Prix Voltaire, which rewards exemplary courage in upholding the freedom to publish and in enabling others to exercise their right to freedom of expression.
The IPA Freedom to Publish Committee (FtPC) is responsible for picking the shortlist and final winner.
The nine-strong body of publishing professionals from Argentina, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates felt the following nominees, in alphabetical order, deserved to go through to this year’s shortlist:
- Chowdhury, Ahmedur Rashid (Bangladesh)
- Medjo, Lewis (Cameroon)
- Miklós, Tamás (Hungary)
- Minhai, Gui (Sweden / Hong Kong)
- Parsapour, Azadeh (Iran / UK)
Briefs on the nominees, including images, will be added to the IPA’s website starting today with Azadeh Paraspour.
IPA Freedom to Publish Committee chairman Kristenn Einarsson said “All of these nominees have shown genuine courage in confronting attempts to deny their freedom to publish, and in taking risks to give writers their voice. The committee has the difficult task of choosing one name among them for the 2018 Prix Voltaire.”
The IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee will select the eventual 2018 IPA Prix Voltaire winner, with the award presentation taking place at the IPA’s International Publishers Congress, in Delhi, on 11th February.
About the IPA Prix Voltaire
The IPA Prix Voltaire is unique in honouring the freedom to publish, without which many forms of freedom of expression would be impossible. Publishers who provide authors with the tools to disseminate their written ideas assume the same risks as the writers themselves.
Nominees have usually published controversial works amid pressure, threats, intimidation or harassment, be it from governments, other authorities or private interests. Alternatively, they may Embargo: 9am CET, 11th January 2018
be publishers with a distinguished record of upholding the values of freedom to publish and freedom of expression. For the purposes of the IPA Prix Voltaire, the definition of ‘publisher’ is an individual, collective or organization that provides others with the means to share their ideas in written form, including via digital platforms.
The IPA Prix Voltaire, which comes with a CHF 10,000 prize, is made possible by generous contributions from sponsors, all of which are publishing houses and organizations that share the values that the IPA Prix Voltaire recognizes.
In 2018, the sponsors of the IPA Prix Voltaire are, in alphabetical order:
- Albert Bonniers Förlag (Sweden)
- Aschehoug (Norway)
- Bonnier Media Deutschland (Germany)
- Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (Germany)
- Cappelen Damm (Norway)
- Gyldendal (Norway)
- Holtzbrinck Publishing Group (Germany)
- Natur & Kultur (Sweden)
- Norstedts (Sweden)
- Verlagsgruppe Random House (Germany)
- Storytel (Sweden)
