For My Guantánamo Work, I’ve Been Short-Listed for the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism
28.5.13
I’m delighted to report that, in recognition of my work on Guantánamo and the “war on terror” over the last seven years (including being the lead writer on the sections of a report on secret detention for the United Nations in 2010 dealing with US secret detention since 9/11, and being a media partner of WikiLeaks for the release of classified military files from Guantánamo in 2011), I’ve been short-listed for the prestigious Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism, dedicated to the memory of Martha Gellhorn (1908-1998), one of the great war correspondents of the 20th century.
The prize was established in 1999, and previous winners include Nick Davies, Robert Fisk, Patrick Cockburn, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, Dahr Jamail, Mohammed Omer, Ian Cobain, Julian Assange and Gareth Porter.
As noted by the Committee (James Fox, Jeremy Harding, Cynthia Kee, Alexander Matthews, Shirlee Matthews and John Pilger), the prize is “awarded to a journalist whose work has penetrated the established version of events and told an unpalatable truth, validated by powerful facts, that exposes establishment propaganda, or ‘official drivel’ as Martha Gellhorn called it.”
As Martha Gellhorn also noted, highlighting an essential truth about how people allow themselves to be manipulated — something that is, sadly, abundantly clear from the “war on terror” declared by the Bush administration after the 9/11 attacks, and the lies told about the prisoners in — “Gradually I came to realize that people will more readily swallow lies than truth, as if the taste of lies was homey, appetizing: a habit.”
The winner will be announced on June 19, and, to reiterate, I’m deeply honored to have been short-listed.
Below, to provide some context for the prize, is a video from 1983 of Martha Gellhorn interviewed by John Pilger:
Andy Worthington is a freelance investigative journalist, activist, author, photographer and film-maker. He is the co-founder of the “Close Guantánamo” campaign, and the author of The Guantánamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison (published by Pluto Press, distributed by Macmillan in the US, and available from Amazon — click on the following for the US and the UK) and of two other books: Stonehenge: Celebration and Subversion and The Battle of the Beanfield. He is also the co-director (with Polly Nash) of the documentary film, “Outside the Law: Stories from Guantánamo” (available on DVD here — or here for the US).
To receive new articles in your inbox, please subscribe to Andy’s RSS feed — and he can also be found on Facebook (and here), Twitter, Flickr and YouTube. Also see the four-part definitive Guantánamo prisoner list, “The Complete Guantánamo Files,” an ongoing, 70-part, million-word series drawing on files released by WikiLeaks in April 2011. Also see the definitive Guantánamo habeas list and the chronological list of all Andy’s articles.
Please also consider joining the “Close Guantánamo” campaign, and, if you appreciate Andy’s work, feel free to make a donation.
Who's still at Guantánamo?
123 Responses
Andy Worthington says...
On Facebook, Ruth Gilburt wrote:
Yay! Really excited on your behalf…and very well deserved, Andy x
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Cee Aitch wrote:
Be very proud. Congratulations.
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Tangerine Bolen wrote:
So well deserved Andy. Truly.
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Toia Tutta Jung wrote:
Congratulations Andy!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Margaret Rooney wrote:
Well-deserved 🙂
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Umm Ghazi wrote:
Fantastic, congratulations!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Amy Phillips wrote:
this is great news!!!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Ruth, Cee, Tangerine, Toia, Margaret, Umm Ghazi and Amy, for your lovely comments!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Waris Ali wrote:
Congratulations Andy, more than well deserved!!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Sarah Gillespie wrote:
Fantastic!! Well deserved 🙂 X
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Laurette LaLiberte wrote:
Congratulations, you deserve it !!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Alex Grace wrote:
Well done Andy – keep up the good work xxx
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Holly Berry wrote:
Congratulations!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Laurette LaLiberte wrote:
Though the best reward will come when they finally shut it down !!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:48 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Soraya Sepahpour-Ulrich wrote:
Congratulations!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:48 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Erika Freiheit wrote:
Great news & best of luck
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:48 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Shamsa Mughal wrote:
Well done !
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Alice Clucas-Depret wrote:
Bravo….!!!!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:51 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Carol Brown wrote:
Brilliant news! Well done. 🙂
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:52 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Aaron Ben Acer Quinn wrote:
well deserved Andy, when I think of Gitmo, the journalist that automatically springs to mind is you…. best of luck bro
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:52 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Jeanne Herrick-Stare wrote:
This is wonderful recognition! Huzzah!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:52 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Dejanka Bryant wrote:
Excellent news! Well deserved, Andy. 🙂
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Daniel Millito Figueroa Moreira wrote:
CONGRATULATIONS BRO!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Pauline Kiernan wrote:
Fantastic news Andy. I am thrilled. And definitely SHARING! Px
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Deb Equality Della Piana wrote:
Go Andy!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Andy Worthington says...
George Kenneth Berger wrote:
Good news, Andy. I’ll share this.
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Sarah Hashim brilliant!!! congrats Andy 🙂 you absolutely deserve it!!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Andy Worthington says...
And thanks also, Laurette, Waris, Sarah, Alex, Holly, Soraya, Erika, Shamsa, Alice, Carol, Aaron, Jeanne, Dejanka, Daniel, Pauline, Deb, George and Sarah. Wow! What a wonderful response! And Laurette, you’re correct, of course – the best reward will come when they finally shut it down !!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Rita Pal wrote:
That is fantastic. Hope you get it. Well done and congratulations. You must be so pleased.
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:55 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Rita. Yes, very pleased. It’s very reassuring to have one’s work recognized!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 8:56 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Mathew Rogue Element Sandoval wrote:
well-deserved, dear friend. While anyone following Guantanamo knows that your work has been invaluable, it’s fantastic to see you receive wider recognition. Congrats.
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Marjorie Cohn wrote:
That’s wonderful, Andy! Well-deserved.
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Rupert Williams wrote:
congrats Andy you deserve it
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:00 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Mathew, Marjorie and Rupert. Much appreciated.
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Andy Worthington says...
When Giacomella Jackie Milesi Ferretti shared my link, and I thanked her, she wrote:
no need to thank me Andy… it is my pleasure to share your great work!!
I can’t do as much as you do, yet I share at least what I consider important at a geopolitical level with many persons that are engaged in trying to make this world more HUMAN…
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Very well put, Giacomella.
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Lilian Norman wrote:
Great news hope you get it no one deserves it more
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:17 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you. Lilian. That’s very kind.
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:17 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Kathleen Kelly wrote:
Fully deserved!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:57 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Jackie Sherman wrote:
well done.. and so well deserved!! 🙂
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:58 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Guy Smallman wrote:
About time too!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:58 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Lindis Percy wrote:
WELL DONE Andy – richly deserved. We SO look forward to you coming to speak at the annual Independence FROM America demonstration on 4 July – please let us know about accommodation etc etc I sent an email to you recently about this. WE ARE SO FORTUNATE THAT YOU ARE COMING…AREN’T WE FRIENDS! Come and hear him!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Andy Worthington says...
James Yee wrote:
Andy, you fight from the trenches with a level of energy that I hope will never run out.
...on May 28th, 2013 at 9:59 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Kathleen, Jackie, Guy, Lindis and James. Your supportive words are most welcome!
...on May 28th, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Rosie Much wrote:
well deserved andy
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:55 am
Andy Worthington says...
Neil Goodwin wrote:
Well done Andy! Holding thumbs – as they say in SA xx
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:56 am
Andy Worthington says...
MadLion Muir wrote:
Thank you for your tireless and courageous work. Win or not.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:56 am
Andy Worthington says...
Leticia Werner wrote:
Wow, fantastic Andy! All the best to you for putting your whole heart into this matter! Lots of love!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:57 am
Andy Worthington says...
Mui JS wrote:
You deserve it, Andy. You’ve certainly educated some of us, in a painstaking fashion too.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:57 am
Andy Worthington says...
Pete Johnson wrote:
Well deserved. You have done so much for those people, and so much to point out the shame and revulsion that we all should feel.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:58 am
Andy Worthington says...
Richard Osbourne wrote:
Congratulations Andy. You deserve all the accolades coming to you.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:58 am
Andy Worthington says...
Ridwan Sheikh wrote:
Thats great. Congrats! Fully deserved for all the effort and dedication you have put in. It shows, that if you work diligently, people will see that, and your stock rises without you saying anything. Its always those people who blow their own trumpet that people have a problem with. Enjoy your moment!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:58 am
Andy Worthington says...
Winston Weeks wrote:
Absolutely, what an honor and well deserved Andy.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:59 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Rosie, Neil, MadLion, Leticia, Mui, Pete, Richard, Ridwan and Winston, for the support and the lovely comments.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 1:02 am
Andy Worthington says...
Val Stevenson wrote:
My dear friend Andy greatly deserves the prize. He became fascinated and appalled by Guantanamo when I sent him a book about Afghanistan to review for nthposition. I never got the review, but he became a one-man wikipedia on the whole sorry affair, which is much more useful.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 1:03 am
Andy Worthington says...
What a lovely comment, Val. Unfortunately, I don’t recall that book about Afghanistan. I know you played a part in getting me interested in the Bush administration’s crimes by sending me “Torture and Truth” by Mark Danner and “Dick: The Man Who Is President” by John Nichols, both of which I reviewed, but I can’t think what the book about Afghanistan was. Can you recall?
...on May 29th, 2013 at 1:03 am
Andy Worthington says...
This is my review of “Dick: The Man Who Is President” by John Nichols, from 2005: http://nthposition.com/dickthemanwhois.php
...on May 29th, 2013 at 1:12 am
arcticredriver says...
Andy, let me add my hearty congratulations for the well deserved recognition of this nomination!
I am looking forward to sending you a second hearty congratulations when you win this award.
Cheers!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 5:51 am
Andy Worthington says...
That would be nice, wouldn’t it? Thanks for all your steadfast support over the years, arcticredriver.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 10:03 am
Diana says...
Congratulations! I am so happy to see that your tireless work and commitment has been recognised in this way – so thoroughly deserved!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 10:04 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Diana, for the kind and supportive words.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 10:28 am
Andy Worthington says...
Hanann Baghdadi wrote:
It’s a great day when people with conscience, who are least concerned with the prize, are rewarded for their hard work, the world out there is still a good place! Congratulations!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 10:31 am
Andy Worthington says...
Aleksey Penskiy wrote:
Congratulations, you deserve it!!!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 10:31 am
Andy Worthington says...
Shaker Elsayed wrote:
Best wishes. U deserve it & more.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 10:31 am
Andy Worthington says...
Rosie Much wrote:
you’re such a light andy. good to see some being shone on you.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 10:32 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, Hanann, Aleksey, Shaker and Rosie. Great to hear from you all!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 10:35 am
Andy Worthington says...
Redjade Magyarországon wrote:
big time congrats!!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Mohammed Zakaria wrote:
Congratulations Andy, you deserve to win.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Redjade and Mohammed, for the supportive words!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Willy Bach wrote:
If anyone deserves this award it must be Andy Worthington. He has done terrific work. Without Andy’s research we might not have been where we are today, challenging US Commander-in-Chief to close the gulag at Guantanamo. No, I could not control my anger for long enough to be polite.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Willy, for the supportive words, and for being one of the many people following this terrible story for so many years, and refusing to allow it to be forgotten.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Neil Mckenna wrote:
Great news.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Neil!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:14 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Gloria Torres wrote:
Well done!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Hilary Homes wrote:
Well deserved Andy! Good luck 🙂
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:43 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Louise Gordon wrote:
Mazel tov, Andy!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Anna Giddings wrote:
Great news. You deserve it
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Beverly Hendricks wrote:
Deserved. Thanks, so much, for your work, Andy.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Beth Bailey-Kingdon wrote:
You SO deserve this, Andy. Thanks for all the hard work and inspiration.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Tausif Khan wrote:
Congrats this sounds like a great honor. Good luck to you.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Nan Douglas wrote:
Congratulations, Andy. You deserve this and more. Thank you so much for all your coverage.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Andy Worthington says...
John Sage wrote:
Well done……….
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Andy Worthington says...
David Harrold wrote:
Very well deserved.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Patrick O’Brien wrote:
… congratulations, well deserved — and thank you for your work.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, Gloria, Hilary, Louise, Anna, Beverly, Beth, Tausif, Nan, John, David and Patrick for the kind words. It is very much appreciated. Working on Guantanamo for seven years as an independent researcher and writer has often been a lonely road, and your support has been essential.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Louise Taverner wrote:
Many congratulations & much deserved.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Gearoidin NiGriain wrote:
Congratulations are definitely in order here!! Well done!!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Omar Deghayes wrote:
Good news Andy ..well deserved
...on May 29th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Louise, Gearoidin and Omar. Your support is very much appreciated.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
harpie says...
I am so pleased for you Andy! The recognition is very much deserved.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, harpie. Great to hear from you.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Tom says...
Nice job. Perseverance does pay off.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 4:30 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Tom. Yes, I was pleased to note that, after seven years at the coalface!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 5:33 pm
Tom says...
When is the winner announced?
...on May 29th, 2013 at 6:16 pm
Andy Worthington says...
At the dinner to which those on the short-list are invited, in London on June 19, Tom. Three weeks to go!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 6:19 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Judy Ajifu wrote:
Very well deserved, Andy! I am not surprised. Best of luck to you!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Judy. Good to hear from you.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Julia Igaz wrote:
Sincerely thank you for all the great dedicated work your continuing to do. I found your site so inspiring, one article+ petition I was so inspired I actually managed to write to just over seventy of the detainees. Thank you once again, wishing you all the very best
...on May 29th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Julia. That’s wonderful to hear!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 6:29 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Peggy O’Neil Manfredi wrote:
Great “company” you may be joining if you win. Good Luck!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Peggy. Yes, a wonderful roll-call of excellent investigative journalists. I feel I’m in great company just having been nominated, to be honest.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Andy Worthington says...
D J Sanchez In-Montebello wrote:
Congratulations to you, Andy.
YOU DESERVE THE HONOR for all your tireless work.
Respect to you… “S A N C H E Z”.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Nicola Mattiagne wrote:
We’re very honoured to know you Andy, and the enthusiasm you share in life. You deserve to be recognised for your hard work.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Serra Basarir wrote:
It seems that there are positive developments which herald the closure of Guantanamo Bay. I believe you have been very effective on this from the beginning. Congratulations!
...on May 29th, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Andy Hemingway wrote:
That’s great news Andy. Really hope that you win it. Your work deserves recognition.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, D J Sanchez, Nicola, Serra and Andy. Great to hear from you all, and thanks for the kind words and support.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Anna Elliott wrote:
So well deserved.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thank you, Anna. Lovely to hear from you.
...on May 29th, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Asif Rana wrote:
Nice one Andy.
...on May 30th, 2013 at 11:12 am
Andy Worthington says...
Ryan Hunt wrote:
Congratulations, Andy, and well deserved to say the least! Most likely, many more such awards will follow!
...on May 30th, 2013 at 11:13 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Asif and Ryan. I like your vision of an award-strewn future, Ryan, but this nomination is really gratifying. I’m particularly pleased that it is “awarded to a journalist whose work has penetrated the established version of events and told an unpalatable truth, validated by powerful facts, that exposes establishment propaganda, or ‘official drivel’ as Martha Gellhorn called it.” I do feel that’s what I’ve been doing for the last seven years.
...on May 30th, 2013 at 11:13 am
Andy Worthington says...
Ryan Hunt wrote:
Sounds about right to me! 🙂
...on May 30th, 2013 at 7:03 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Kirsten Holst Kjaer wrote:
You are great !
...on May 30th, 2013 at 7:03 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Jez Cuthbert wrote:
Congratulations Andy 🙂
...on May 30th, 2013 at 7:04 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks again, Ryan, and thanks, Kirsten and Jez. Good to hear from you!
...on May 30th, 2013 at 7:05 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Rachels Page wrote:
Congratulations Andy
...on May 30th, 2013 at 7:06 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Rachel!
...on May 30th, 2013 at 7:07 pm
Andy Worthington says...
Colin Brace wrote:
Most deserved this recognition!
...on May 31st, 2013 at 12:11 am
Andy Worthington says...
Malcolm Bush wrote:
I think you really deserve some official recognition for all your work. Your work is important and very useful to a wide range of: human rights campaigners, academics, journalists, historians all those among the general public who wish to gain specialized or generic knowledge from your work.
...on May 31st, 2013 at 12:11 am
Andy Worthington says...
Kristin Higgins wrote:
great stuff Andy couldn’t go to a more deserving person
...on May 31st, 2013 at 12:11 am
Andy Worthington says...
David Knopfler wrote:
More than deserved!
...on May 31st, 2013 at 12:12 am
Andy Worthington says...
Thanks, Colin, Malcolm, Kristin and David. Lovely to hear from you all.
...on May 31st, 2013 at 12:12 am
28 May 2013 | This Day in WikiLeaks says...
[…] Worthington has been shortlisted for the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism for his coverage of Guantanamo Bay, including his work with WikiLeaks’ Gitmo […]
...on August 8th, 2014 at 4:13 am