CPJ is honored to posthumously present its 2024 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award, for extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom, to Christophe Deloire, head of Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
A tireless defender of press freedom worldwide, Christophe Deloire was the head of media freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In his 12 years at the helm of RSF, Deloire expanded the group’s global footprint and raised its profile with governments.
Under Deloire’s watch, RSF launched the Journalism Trust Initiative, a program to certify media organizations to restore public trust in the news, and the Forum for Democracy, a program aimed at heading off threats to democratic thought and freedoms.
Deloire worked as an investigative reporter and led a prominent French journalism school, Centre de formation des journalistes (CFJ), before becoming director of RSF. Deloire traveled worldwide to lobby governments and defend journalists behind bars or under threat. On June 8, 2024, Deloire died at 53 after a battle with cancer.
Perrine Daubas accepted the 2024 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award on behalf of Christophe Deloire. The text of Perrine Daubas’ remarks, as prepared for delivery, is below.
Christophe had a credo: “Pessimism of the mind, optimism of the will.” These words of Antonio Gramsci perfectly encapsulate the man Christophe was—his boundless energy fueled by profound lucidity.
Tonight, I am proud to honor him with you. The Gwen Ifill Award represents everything he believed in. Under Christophe’s leadership RSF worked hand in hand with CPJ, united by a shared mission: to protect those who put themselves on the line to reveal the truth, who stand resilient so that light can reach even the darkest corners. Christophe deeply appreciated this American cousin, a true comrade-in-arms. He would be immensely happy to see us here today.
Yet, in this setting, I can’t help but smile at a more trivial thought: I imagine how difficult it would have been for Christophe to wear a tuxedo, as it was almost impossible to get him to even wear a tie! Those who met him know that even after 53 years, he never quite mastered tucking in a shirt or tying a tie. Each to their own priorities! His were elsewhere: Christophe cared very little for appearances. He was a relentless worker, often starting his day long before dawn, well before our household would wake. His day would begin in the bathtub—an hour or two spent reading, writing, and responding to emails.
And then, he’d leave early, quickly. He was a man of action, but also a free thinker, feeding both sides with a delicate balance.
He believed that defending journalists was not enough; we needed to rethink every citizen’s fundamental right to receive free and reliable information. This spirit guided his transformation of RSF over twelve years, often shifting its focus radically, from the broadcaster to the receiver – our fellow citizens. In this way, as early as the two thousand and tens, he anticipated the major crises shaking the world today.
Christophe would be brimming with incredible energy right now, facing the rising tide of hostile rhetoric against journalists and fundamental freedoms, including here, in this country where so many freedoms have been won. He would have been galvanized by the re-election of Trump, and determined to fight even harder not only to protect journalists, but to protect everyone’s right to reliable information. For Christophe, press freedom was not just a battle of the moment but a battle for civilization. He knew his team well and was confident they would carry on the fight of his lifetime. And they do, tirelessly. He would have been so proud. I’m joined here tonight by some members of the RSF team, this award is also for them. It’s a gesture of support and friendship that will encourage them in the years ahead, as the work of both organizations is more crucially needed than ever before. So tonight, I am deeply grateful to CPJ for this tribute to Christophe. To everyone who carries on this legacy – here in the room tonight, and around the world – thank you. This award is for Christophe, but it is also for you. Because this fight, now more than ever, is ours.