The IWMF received a People's Voice Webby Award June 8 in New York. Click here to watch the video of the IWMF's five-word acceptance speech.

The International Women’s Media Foundation vigorously condemns the conviction of American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling to 12 years of hard labor by a North Korean court today.

We fear that Lee and Ling are caught in a landscape of broader international circumstances that are unrelated to their roles as journalists and the stories they were pursuing when they were arrested,” said Liza Gross, interim executive director of the IWMF.

We are greatly alarmed by the court’s decision. Press freedom must not be used as a pawn in chess games between nations.”

The IWMF, along with Reporters Without Borders, supports Lee and Ling with a petition calling for their release. We ask that our worldwide network of journalists sign the petition and work through their local journalists associations to appeal for the release of Lee and Ling.

American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling have been sentenced to 12 years hard labor by a North Korean court. Read the Washington Post article.

En Español June 4, 2009 Lic. Félix González Canto Gobierno del Estado de Quintana Roo. Administración 2005 - 2011. Palacio de Gobierno. Av. 22 de En...

Vigils were held June 3 in cities across the U.S. in support of Euna Lee and Laura Ling, American journalists who have been detained in North Korea since March and were scheduled to go to trial June 4. The vigil in Washington, D.C., where the IWMF is based, was held from 6-8 p.m. June 3 at Freedom Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Read more on a Facebook group for Lee and Ling.

The IWMF calls for a fair trial for and the unconditional release of American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who have been detained in North Korea since March 17.

The two women, reporters for the U.S.-based Current TV, were put on trial June 4 in Pyongyang’s top Central Court. They are charged with engaging in “hostile acts” and entering the country illegally. If convicted, they could face up to 15 years of hard labor.

The IWMF, along with Reporters Without Borders, petitioned for the reporters’ release. The combined signatures were delivered to the North Korea Mission to the United Nations on June 3.

Lydia Cacho, a 2007 recipient of an IWMF Courage in Journalism Award, is again facing harassment.

Cacho reports being watched and followed by unknown, armed individuals. On May 12, a man was allegedly seen taking photos of Cacho’s apartment in Cancun. The same man was reportedly seen outside her apartment with a gun two days later and again on May 22. On May 15, different men were allegedly parked outside her apartment door and later appeared outside her office, also in Cancun.

Cacho also says she has received death threats via her blog since February, including one that threatened to “slit her throat.”

Cacho has encountered numerous threats throughout her career. The IWMF calls for this harassment and these serious threats to cease and urges Mexican authorities to investigate so that Cacho can continue her work.

• Read the IWMF’s letter to the Mexican government and sign our petition.

Carolyn Byerly Principal Investigator Carolyn Byerly is the principal investigator for the Global Report on Women in the News Media. She develop...

Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 Dart Center Ochberg Fellowships, which are open to mid-career journalists who want to deepen their knowledge of emotional trauma and improve coverage of violence, conflict and tragedy. Deadline is July 24. Read more or apply on the Dart Center Web site.

Journalists from U.S. media are eligible to apply for the World Affairs Journalism Fellowship program, which allows reporters to travel overseas to report on stories vital to their communities. Application deadline is June 10. Visit ICFJ’s Web site for details.

The Poynter Institute is looking for newspapers and newspaper Web sites that have developed new products, new processes or new projects. Selected participants will be invited to the Poynter McCormick Big Ideas/Best Practices Conference in July. Application deadline is June 1. Read more or apply on the Poynter Web site.

Journalists from Latin America and the Caribbean may apply for a three-week Woodrow Wilson Center-Washington Post Fellowship. Applicants must be employed by a print or online news media organization (no blogs) that regularly publishes news material and which is owned and operated independently of any government, industry, institution, association, or lobbying organization. Deadline is June 30. Visit the Woodrow Wilson Center Web site for further requirements and to apply.

Journalists from developing countries who cover climate change are invited to apply for the Climate Change Media Partnership 2009 Fellowship Program, which will provide skills training and access to experts. The deadline to apply is June 5. Read more or apply on the CCMP Web site.

Print and online journalists from select countries in the developing world can apply for the 2010 Alfred Friendly Press Fellowships, annual fellowships that bring journalists to American newsrooms. Deadline is Aug. 1. For guidelines and to apply, visit the AFPF Web site.

Journalists from Asia and the Pacific can submit published articles from 2008 or 2009 for the annual Developing Asia Journalism Awards competition, sponsored by the Asian Development Bank Institute. Deadline is July 15. Visit the ADBI Web site for details.