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Recipient 2008

MIKE SABURI
Zimbabwe
Freelance Cameraman

The Martin Adler Prize honours a freelancer who has told, or played a vital part in the telling of a significant news story. The recipient may be a freelance cameraman or camerawoman, journalist, fixer, driver or translator. The Prize is intended to raise awareness of the value of the recipient’s work and help them to progress their career.  It is given in the gift of the Trust.

Mike Saburi received the 2008 Martin Adler Prize for supplying the international news media with footage during the run up to the 2008 elections in Zimbabwe. His pictures told the story of his troubled country whilst Mike himself endured harassment and threats of violence.

As Mike followed Robert Mugabe, Simba Makoni and Morgan Tsvangirai on the campaign trail across Zimbabwe, he shed light on his country’s economic meltdown and also uncovered the dramatic effects of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis.

With Mugabe’s regime outlawing journalists and stifling the media with permanent surveillance, threats and attacks, Saburi’s footage allowed agencies and international broadcasters to tell the story of Zimbabwe’s political repression, hyper inflation and chronic malnutrition during the run up to the elections of March 29 2008.

The Committee to Protect Journalists lists Zimbabwe among the ten worst countries for hostility to the media. The journalists who are left in Zimbabwe are brave and dedicated. They take risks daily—risks that their families must share.

Biography
Mike Saburi was born and raised in Zimbabwe and began his television career in 1997 covering conferences and various events. Two years later, he took two short journalism courses and began freelancing as a news cameraman during the farm invasions. Despite the dangers, he continues to film in his country, providing footage to Reuters and other major news organisations.