In January Guy received the prestigious Commonwealth Press Union Astor Award - one of the oldest media freedom awards in the world - for his outstanding commitment to press freedom.
Announcing the Award, Dieter Loraine, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Press Freedom Media Trust (successor body to the CPU), said: "Our Trustees were unanimous in their view that the Astor Award for 2025 be made to Guy Black for his outstanding, passionate and indefatigable commitment to free speech, and to press and media freedom both here in the UK and internationally. It is also made in recognition of his longstanding commitment to the CPU stretching back nearly three decades. In 2009 when the CPU was faced with closure in its centenary year, Guy took it on as its new Chairman, a position he held with distinction for sixteen years, rejuvenating it as the CPU Media Trust which has continued to fight for press freedom across the globe.”
In receiving the Award - which was presented by former DCMS Secretary of State Sir John Whittingdale MP (pictured) - Lord Black said:
“I am honoured beyond belief to receive this Award. The battle for press freedom is never won – and today we face new battles, as intense as ever, to keep the media free to report, to scrutinise and to investigate those in positions of power. For over a century the CPU has played a vital role in that. I am delighted to continue to play what part I can in the never-ending struggle. I would like to pay tribute to all those in the CPU – and other international media freedom organisations – who campaign so tirelessly to stand up for free speech and freedom of expression.”
Former winners of the Astor Award include Mabel Stickland, Daphne Caruana Galizia (posthumously), Lyle Turnbull, Kuldip Nayar, Sir Edward Pickering, Fred M'Membe and Patsy Robertson.
Full details of the announcement here.
