The VG photographer is the first still photographer to receive the award.
Tuesday 7 May at 19:49
Harald Henden was awarded the Fritt Ords Prize on Tuesday. Henden was already awarded the prize in April, but the actual award took place on Tuesday evening.
Henden is a photographer in VG. It is the first time a still photographer has received the award.
– Every day over 3 billion photos are uploaded to social media, including from conflicts and disasters. But in an age of fake news, propaganda, manipulation and artificial intelligence, the question often becomes what we can trust, said Harald Henden when he received the Fritt Ords Prize.
The chairman of Stiftelsen Fritt Ord, Grete Brochmann, thanked Henden for his efforts.
– Photography has the power to define, not just document. Documentary photography and photojournalism are part of the infrastructure of freedom of expression, she said.
In the justification, the foundation writes:
“For war photographers and photojournalists, it is often about being out as early as possible to get the best access to uncensored documentation of what happens when conflicts develop. Harald Henden has fearlessly entered unpredictable and dangerous areas to become a first-hand witness to what is happening.”
