Mr Sharipov, who is under house arrest in Uzbekistan, sent a message to the awards ceremony which said: "I love journalism. I always serve the truth and I want freedom of speech to be celebrated around the world. I will do my best to be worthy of your great trust."

The award was presented during the opening ceremonies of the World Newspaper Congress and World Editors Forum, the global meetings of the world’s press. The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of Turkey, representatives of the diplomatic community, and more than 1,300 publishers and editors from newspapers in 88 countries.

Mr Sharipov’s statement was read by human rights activist Elena Urlaeva, who accepted the award on his behalf. She said Mr Sharipov did not send a longer statement because Uzbek authorities threatened reprisals if he did so.

"Freedom of expression is difficult to attain in Uzbekistan," she said. "Journalists are faced with all kinds of persecution. That is why newspapers and private radio and TV stations are being closed, internet sites are blocked and foreign news agencies have difficulties in obtaining accreditation. However, many journalists in Uzbekistan write and tell the truth."

Mr Sharipov served 10 months in prison and is now under house arrest "on trumped up charges intended to punish and silence him," said Gloria Brown Anderson, President of the World Editors Forum, who presented the award.

Uzbekistan "is a leading example of a nation which is using the fight against terrorism to justify widespread repression of information and other human rights," said Ms Brown Anderson. "President Islam Karimov and his secret police and security forces have extended these restrictions far beyond the fight against terror, delaying or abandoning democratic reforms and mercilessly harassing all opposition and free voices and pens."

Mr Sharipov, 25, was sentenced to four years in prison in August 2003 for "engaging in homosexual acts" -- a pretext to silence him and stop his human rights work.

He was held in a high security prison from his arrest in May 2003 until March, when he was transferred to house arrest. Though he is scheduled for early release on 11 June, there are fears that he could be transferred back to high security prison to complete his four-year term if he violates the conditions of his house arrest, which include engaging in journalistic or human rights activities.

He is the founder of the Union of Independent Journalists of Uzbekistan and a correspondent for the Moscow Human Rights Agency. Before his imprisonment, he reported regularly on the state of the media and press freedom in Uzbekistan, and about human rights violations in the country.

WAN has presented the Golden Pen of Freedom annually since 1961. Past winners include Argentina’s Jacobo Timerman (1980), Russia’s Sergei Grigoryants (1989), China’s Gao Yu (1995), and Vietnam’s Doan Viet Hoat (1998). The 2003 award went to the Belarusian Association of Journalists.

The Paris-based WAN, the global organisation for the newspaper industry, defends and promotes press freedom world-wide. It represents 18,000 newspapers; its membership includes 72 national newspaper associations, individual newspaper executives in 102 countries, 13 news agencies and ten regional and world-wide press groups.

Inquiries to: Larry Kilman, Director of Communications, WAN, 7 rue Geoffroy St Hilaire, 75005 Paris France. Tel: +33 1 47 42 85 00. Fax: +33 1 47 42 49 48. Mobile: +33 6 10 28 97 36. E-mail: lkilman@wan.asso.fr