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It’s easy to forget that press freedom isn’t just about journalists or newspapers—it’s about the fundamental right to be heard. As women in media, we’re constantly navigating the intersection of truth, courage, and creativity. But for some women, using their voice isn’t just brave—it’s life-threatening.
On World Press Freedom Day, I want to honour three extraordinary women whose work reminds us not only why speaking up matters—but why amplifying female voices in media is essential to a free society. Globally, women make up just 24% of top-level decision-makers in news media—a sobering statistic in a world where perspective shapes policy, perception, and progress.
This lack of representation is more than frustrating—it’s dangerous. Because when women are absent from the newsrooms, so are their stories. That’s why I’m passionate about not only educating women through platforms like Casper Magazine but also spotlighting the real voices behind some of the most treacherous, complex, and often silenced truths of our time.
These aren’t just journalists—they are defenders of democracy, architects of change, and living proof that the relationship between voice and freedom is one of the most powerful forces we have.
Indian investigative journalist Rana Ayyub is one of the most courageous and distinctive voices in modern journalism. Known for her 2016 undercover exposé Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up, Ayyub risked her life posing as a film student to reveal state-sanctioned violence during Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Since then, her fearless reporting has earned her international acclaim—and relentless backlash. A columnist for The Washington Post, she has received the John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award, the highest honour from the US National Press Club, and has been widely recognised for her unflinching commitment to truth.
My pen can never be silenced. — Rana Ayyub
(NDTV)
In her chilling Washington Post op-ed, Ayyub doesn’t mince words: “India’s press is being strangled.” Her voice—defiant, intelligent, unrelenting—has become a beacon for those still fighting to hold the world’s largest democracy accountable.
Zahra Joya is a name more people should know. She founded Rukhshana Media in 2020—the first Afghan media organisation focused on telling women’s stories—at a time when doing so was nothing short of revolutionary.
Named after a young woman killed by the Taliban, Rukhshana became a rare and vital platform for stories on gender-based violence, systemic inequality, and the daily realities of life under patriarchy. After the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Joya fled to the UK but continued her work in exile, leading a team of undercover women journalists still reporting from within Afghanistan.
Joya was named to Time’s Women of the Year, the BBC 100 Women list, and was honoured with the International Women of Courage Award by the U.S. State Department.
We are trying to write for our freedom.— Zahra Joya
(TIME)
Her work isn’t just journalism—it’s protection, documentation, and advocacy. Her voice is powerful not only because it cuts through silence—but because it preserves truth in the face of erasure.
More on Zahra Joya and Rukhshana Media
At Casper, we believe in sharing our sources—not just to stay transparent, but to give you, our reader, the chance to dive deeper into the powerful stories behind this piece.
Brazilian journalist, filmmaker, and author Eliane Brum doesn’t just report stories—she lives them. Known for her profound work on the Amazon, Brum has moved to Altamira, one of the most deforested and conflict-ridden regions of Brazil, to report firsthand on the intersection of environmental destruction and human displacement.
Her writing—published in El País, The Guardian, and The New York Times—dives deep into the lives of the marginalised. From the voices of Indigenous communities to those affected by mining, poverty, and ecological collapse, she reminds us that the most vital stories are often the least told.
I am the story I tell. — Eliane Brum
Brum is the recipient of more than 40 journalism awards, including the Premio Rey de España and the Inter American Press Association Award. Her book Banzeiro Òkòtó: The Amazon as the Center of the World reframes how we think about the rainforest—not as a backdrop, but as a protagonist in the global climate story.
Her voice is powerful because it doesn’t shout—it listens. And in listening, it makes space for others to rise
Read: Banzeiro Òkòtó: The Amazon as the Center of the World
Related Links & Resources
At Casper, we believe in sharing our sources—not just to stay transparent, but to give you, our reader, the chance to dive deeper into the powerful stories behind this piece.
As the holiday lights twinkle, Casper Magazine invites you to sparkle with a twist. Your impeccable taste and loyalty have been the pièce de résistance in our journey of showcasing the crème de la crème of conscious living and avant-garde design.
This season, why settle for the same old carols and clichés? Let’s waltz into a world where sustainability meets style, and innovation dances with daring. Our curated selection of stories and brands is the perfect accessory to your discerning palette.
Consider this an exclusive invitation: Join our subscriber list for content that's as bold and cheeky as you are. We're redefining mindful living with a wink and a nod to what truly inspires.
So, pop the champagne and raise a toast to a holiday season filled with more than just good cheer. Here’s to a new year of turning heads and challenging norms, together.
The Casper Magazine Team ❤️
