Jahangir Razmi Wins Recognition For Pulitzer Photo

Jahangir Razmi Wins Recognition For Pulitzer Photo

By EMILY STEEL
December 8, 2006; Page B3

More than a quarter of a century after an anonymous photograph of an Iranian firing squad won the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography, the Pulitzer Prize Board has said it will award the certificate and $10,000 cash prize to Iranian photographer Jahangir Razmi.
The board said it will revise its records to grant Mr. Razmi his prize and invite him to the awards ceremony in New York May 21 at Columbia University, whose journalism school hosts the prizes. (Read the board's statement.)
The identity of Mr. Razmi was revealed in a page-one article that appeared last Saturday in The Wall Street Journal, along with other photographs which he had kept hidden all these years because he feared for his safety. (Read the article.) The prize-winning photo appeared on front pages of newspapers throughout the world on Aug. 29. 1979, circulated by United Press International. The 1980 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography was the only award ever granted to an anonymous recipient.
"It is always best if you can honor the individual responsible," says Sig Gissler, administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes. "The board feels this closes a historic gap, and it is very pleased that it can properly recognize a photographer who shot a very compelling, iconic photograph."
The Wall Street Journal article detailed how Mr. Razmi, who worked at the Iranian newspaper Ettela'at from 1973 to 1987, found himself an eyewitness to an execution of 11 men on an airstrip in Sanandaj in the Kurdistan province of Iran. .

1 posted on 12/07/2006 9:29:54 PM PST by nuconvert

2 posted on 12/07/2006 9:32:02 PM PST by nuconvert ([there's a lot of bad people in the pistachio business] (...but his head is so tiny...))

To: sageb1; aculeus

3 posted on 12/07/2006 9:33:45 PM PST by nuconvert ([there's a lot of bad people in the pistachio business] (...but his head is so tiny...))

"After reviewing Wall Street Journal reporter Joshua Prager's article, a Pulitzer Board committee conducted further investigations and decided to connect Mr. Razmi with the honor. Before amending its records, the board consulted international experts who said that once a story like this is published, official recognition can be helpful to the person's safety. "Our hope is that his country will take pride in his accomplishment and that his trip will take place without any problems," Mr. Gissler says.

Mr. Razmi told the Wall Street Journal earlier this week that he would be honored to receive his prize and attend the ceremony if Iranian authorities would grant permission." Thanks for the "pong." Chances are slim or next to none?

4 posted on 12/07/2006 9:40:19 PM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)

What's surprising is, now that the Pulitzer Board has decided to recognize him publicly, this honor and its publicity will probably keep this guy safe.
The one effective tool for helping individuals in trouble inside Iran has been publicity. Publicity has kept people from being hanged and caused the release of people from prison.

5 posted on 12/08/2006 4:58:39 AM PST by nuconvert ([there's a lot of bad people in the pistachio business] (...but his head is so tiny...))

Praying you are right.

6 posted on 12/08/2006 6:27:18 AM PST by sageb1 (This is the Final Crusade. There are only 2 sides. Pick one.)

7 posted on 12/08/2006 6:34:33 AM PST by aculeus

8 posted on 12/08/2006 6:52:00 AM PST by nuconvert ([there's a lot of bad people in the pistachio business] (...but his head is so tiny...))

Let's hope the committee also cancels the Pulitzer given to the Times Walter Duranty, the man who covered up Stalin's mass murders.

(But don't hold your breath.)

9 posted on 12/08/2006 7:14:19 AM PST by aculeus

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