Peabody Award-winning actor, comedian, producer and author Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show, Years of Living Dangerously, Halal in the Family), will host the Amnesty International USA’s Media Awards in New York City on April 3, marking the return of the event after a decade-long hiatus. The event will recognize excellence in human rights reporting and the vital role of a free press.
“I’m honored to be a part of this event recognizing the critical work done by reporters across the country and around the world,” said Mandvi. “An informed public is critical to holding our leaders accountable, and that can’t be done without a free press.”
“From his days on the Daily Show to his outspoken work on issues like religious freedom and anti-discrimination, Aasif has been a important voice in speaking truth to power through humor,” said Margaret Huang, executive director of Amnesty International USA. “We’re so thrilled that he’ll be a part of this celebration.”
The AIUSA Media Awards will honor excellence in reporting on domestic and international issues within the U.S. press, as well as recognize outstanding student reporting. Submissions will be judged by a panel of media professionals and AIUSA staff. Additionally, Amnesty International USA Press Freedom Award will honor late Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Judges include author Jessica Valenti; Tracy Wilkinson, correspondent for the Los Angeles Times; Alli Maloney, politics and news features editor for Teen Vogue; Hadar Harris, executive director of the Student Press Law Center; Vibha Venkatesha of AIUSA’s National Youth Collective; Franco Ordonez, national affairs correspondent for McClatchy; Daphne Eviatar, director of security with human rights at AIUSA; Raqiyah Mays, stewardship specialist at AIUSA and journalist; and Geoffrey Mock, AIUSA Middle East country specialist chair.