Peter Greste has won a Walkley Award for Outstanding Contribution to Journalism, one of the highest accolades possible for an Australian journalist.
The long running story of Greste’s imprisonment in Egypt has held special significance for the local area due to his connection to Wee Waa through younger brother, Andrew.
Andrew Greste runs a cotton and grain farm near Wee Waa, but was catapulted onto the international stage after his brother was arrested for sensitive news reports produced while working in the Middle Eastern nation.
The Egyptian government imprisoned Peter and two other journalists for allegedly having ties to the banned Muslim Brotherhood, an accusation they deny.
As Peter was clearly unable to attend the Walkley’s Gala Dinner, Andrew travelled to Sydney last week to accept the award on his brother’s behalf.
“It was a huge honour, I’m a very proud younger brother to be able to be there and accept it on his behalf,” Andrew Greste told The Wee Waa News.
“Obviously it’s regrettable that he wasn’t there to accept it himself but it was a great honour, particularly to be amongst his peers and colleagues who have shown so much support for him and our family.”
Andrew visited Egypt last month to assist in the writing of Peter’s acceptance speech, a task which was made difficult by conditions in the prison.
“Peter got a letter informing him that he was nominated for the award and that perhaps it might be advantageous if he prepared an acceptance speech just on the off chance that he might win,” Andrew explained.
“He told me what his message was face to face during a prison visit, he’s not really allowed to send written material out, and he doesn’t have access to phones or anything like that.”
Peter’s acceptance speech takes the focus off his own situation, and emphasises the broader struggle faced by many to achieve freedom.
“There are those who find themselves at historical crossroads, more by accident than by intent,” his speech reads.
“So this award is not so much about what the three of us have done as what we have come to represent: A fight to protect something universally recognised as a fundamental pillar of democracy.
“While I am truly honoured to accept this award, I do so on behalf of all those to whom it really belongs – to all who are part of the struggle not just for our freedom in Egypt, but wherever the press is not truly free.”
While Peter took the opportunity to talk about press freedom in general, Walkley judges were clearly in awe of his courage and conduct throughout his entire career, not just his imprisonment.
“In an age of terror when journalism has been shown to be a deadly profession where journalists risk being taken hostage and beheaded, Greste’s declaration from his Cairo cell is exceptional and inspirational.
“The right to know is a fundamental human right and practitioners carry both the burden and the responsibility of this, sometimes at the greatest personal cost.
“Greste has had a remarkable career since 1991 as an international correspondent covering war in Afghanistan and conflicts throughout Africa and the Middle East.
After delivering Peter’s acceptance speech, Andrew Greste delivered his own message of support and hope, saying, “stay strong brother, let’s get you home for Christmas.”
Peter’s Walkley success has coincided with developments in Egypt that his family believe could lead to his release before the end of the year.
In early November a new decree was announced by the Egyptian President to allow the deportation of foreign prisoners.
This came as media reports began circulating about the possibility of the Egyptian government issuing a pardon for the arrest of the journalists.
“The Egyptian Government are great at saying things and not backing it up, now we want to see some action given he’s done nothing wrong,” Andrew Greste said.
“We see a window of opportunity at the moment, before the appeal starts on the first of January, for this to be dealt with and for some diplomacy to take place.
“Christmas is such a family affair out here, it’d be great to see him come home before the New Year.”