American Rhetoric: Movie Speech

"Veronica Guerin" (2003)

Press Freedom Award Acceptance Address

Audio mp3 delivered by Cate Blanchett

C.P.J. President: The Committee to Protect Journalists is proud to present this year's Press Freedom Award to a reporter who has consistently resisted brutal, criminal attempts to silence her and subvert the news. Despite the intimidation, she continues to defend the public's right to read the truth. Ladies and gentlemen, please salute a brave woman: Veronica Guerin.

Vernonica Guerin: Thanks, John. Sadly, it's not unusual to hear that a reporter has been shot or intimidated. A number of reporters at home -- not just myself -- have been subjected to death threats and intimidation on a daily basis. This year alone the number of journalists killed worldwide has reached fifty-one. The only thing that distinguishes me is that I survived to tell the story. I hope that's not the only reason, you know, I'm receiving this award tonight, but either way I'm very grateful to the C.P.J. for awarding an Irish European journalist.

I really am both humbled and honored to receive this award, particularly because of the company that I'm keeping -- the other recipients who I certainly feel are more deserving than myself. In doing so, I want to thank two people who have encouraged and supported me, despite an incredibly difficult last twelve months -- and they are my husband, Graham, and my son, Cathal. Because I can assure you if they hadn't supported me, I wouldn't be doing it.

Thanks very much. Thank you.

  Veronica Guerin (1958-1996)

Speech Delivered by the Real Veronica Guerin