Free Speech Hub has recognized TOLOnews’ Anisa Shaheed as the best journalist of the year and “The Face of Freedom of Speech” at a time that Afghan media is faced with concerns about the future of free media when it comes to a peace deal. 

Shaheed was picked as the best journalist from amongst 1,700 nominations, according to Free Speech Hub. 

The award was given to Shaheed at a ceremony in Kabul on Saturday. 

Anisa started her career with TOLOnews in 2009. She covers stories on the country’s political situation, elections, human rights and security. 

Last June, Reporters without Borders, an international press rights organization, recognized Anisa Shaheed for "courageous" reporting amid the coronavirus outbreak. 

She was listed in a group of 30 international “information heroes” -- journalists, whistleblowers and media outlets-- whose "courage, perseverance or capacity to innovate has helped to circulate reliable and vital information during the Covid-19 pandemic." 

RSF spotlighted Shaheed’s covering of the attack on the maternity ward of a Kabul hospital in mid-May and "the government’s mishandling of the pandemic," all while "exhibiting the highest professional standards." 

According to Free Speech Hub, over the past six months, 10 media workers have lost their lives in Afghanistan while in the past 20 years, over 100 media workers and journalist were killed in conflicts and targeted attacks in the country.