By Ingrid Bachmann
In recognition of the challenges and restrictions she faces as a blogger in Cuba, and her defense of freedom of expression, the International Press Institute (IPI), based in Vienna, has named Yoani Sanchez of its 60 heroes of press freedom. (See also this story from EFE in Spanish).
The author of the blog Generación Y has called international attention to the Cuban regime via the critical content of her site, which has been blocked in Cuba since 2008, explained El País and the news agency AFP. The announcement from IPI said that Sanchez represents a future where the power of the Internet can be used to promote freedom of expression.
In an interview with AFP, the blogger said that the honor from IPl is an "encouragement" and a "protective shield" in her fight to end censorship in Cuba.
The list of other IPI honorees also includes the Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho.
Note from the editor: This story was originally published by the Knight Center’s blog Journalism in the Americas, the predecessor of LatAm Journalism Review.
