World-renowned barrister and human rights activist Amal Clooney has been recognised for her work in defending the rights of journalists and freedom of the press, receiving a prestigious award.
During the virtual ceremony for the 2020 CPJ International Press Freedom Award which took place on November 19, Clooney was awarded the Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award for her legal work defending journalists.
Presenting the award was Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep. During her acceptance speech, Clooney joked about Streep’s connection with her husband George Clooney, pointing out the fact they were “married”.
“I regret missing the opportunity to share a stage with the brilliant Meryl Streep,” Clooney said at the start of her speech.
“Meryl, thank you for your kind words while introducing me. You are an inspiration as a woman, as an artist, as a press freedom advocate,” she continued. “I know I can’t ever hope to win the number of awards that you’ve won, but it does occur to me that we have something special in common, which is that we’ve both been married to my husband.
“And honestly, the fact that you did it as Mr. and Mrs. Fantastic Fox just makes that so much less awkward.”
The actors starred together in the 2009 animated film .
While she was able to make some lighthearted comments, Clooney also noted the importance the award and the Committee to Protect Journalists had for “shining a light on the importance of press freedom at a time when many of our fundamental freedoms have been under threat”.
“It is true that hope springs eternal and this is a time for optimism,” she continued. “But, optimism should not mean complacency…What we see happening in the world should remind us that rights should not only be secured, but jealously guarded.
“Democracy must constantly be defended and journalists vigilantly protected.”
