Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17788007316271778800727471.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Frenchie Mae Cumpio (R, wearing yellow), a detained Filipino journalist, and her former roommate Marielle Domequil (L, wearing yellow) arrive at Tacloban Regional Trial Court in Leyte island on January 22, 2026, to attend the promulgation of her court case. <em>Jam Sta Rosa, AFP </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Detained Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio has been recognized by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) as the recipient of the 2026 Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award.</p><p>The recognition is given annually to a woman journalist who is unjustly detained, jailed, or imprisoned. Cumpio, who has reported on alleged state violence, rural inequality, and militarization in the Philippines, has been in detention since 2020 over charges widely disputed by press freedom groups.</p><p>Reacting from detention, Cumpio said, “I am deeply honored to receive this award, but I’d like to give a greater salute to everyone who continues to believe in truth and justice.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/17/tacloban-court-denies-bail-for-journalist-frenchie-cumpio-1437">Tacloban court denies bail for journalist Frenchie Cumpio</a></div><p>She also acknowledged those supporting her case, including her legal team and media colleagues.</p><p>“To our lawyers, our families, the National Union of People’s Lawyers, and above all, the members of the media who fearlessly covered and exposed our stories, despite the risks,” she added.</p><p>Cumpio emphasized that her work as a journalist was shaped by the conditions in her community.</p><p>“Growing up in one of the poorest regions in my country, taking part in unveiling the truth, and exposing abuse has rather been a necessity than a choice,” she said.</p><p>“Journalism in a country ruled by only one percent of its population means providing the masses and marginalized sectors with a voice. This [award] is a recognition of the truth and the strength of the people, united.”</p><p>The IWMF said Cumpio’s case reflects the growing risks faced by journalists worldwide, where reporting itself is increasingly treated as a punishable act.</p><p>“The criminalization of truth-telling is what makes courage the future of journalism,” said Elisa Lees Muñoz, president of the IWMF.</p><p>Alongside Cumpio, the IWMF also named this year’s Courage in Journalism Award recipients: Iranian sisters Elaheh and Elnaz Mohammadi, U.S. broadcast journalist Georgia Fort, and a Myanmar-based digital journalist identified as Nay Min Ni.</p><p>According to the organization, this year’s awardees—selected from nominees across 53 nationalities—highlight what it described as the “shrinking capacity for press freedom” across different political systems.</p><p>The 37th annual Courage in Journalism Awards will be presented in November in New York City and Los Angeles, with support from Bank of America.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/6/groups-protest-continued-detention-of-journalist-frenchie-cumpio-2-others-1550">Groups protest continued detention of journalist Frenchie Cumpio, 2 others</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iQROUDVmcdw?si=n4E0H8DeV7GuoJQA" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div>

<p>Detained Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio has been recognized by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) as the recipient of the 2026 Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award.</p>

Detained Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio has been recognized by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) as the recipient of the 2026 Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award.

Jailed Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio honored by IWMF

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Jailed Filipino journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio honored by IWMF

Eon Sanchez,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 15, 2026 08:00 AM PHT

Read More:

International Women's Media Foundation

IWMF

Frenchie Mae Cumpio

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