We are very proud to announce that Jessikka Aro, author of PUTIN’S TROLLS, has received International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage of Journalism Award!

The other three award recipients were imprisoned Egyptian multimedia journalist Solafa Magdy; Yakeen Bido, a freelance broadcast journalist in Syria; and, Uighur journalist of Radio Free Asia, Gulchehra Hoja.

“Right now, the pursuit of truth, and the need for diverse journalism, is at a critical high,” said the IWMF’s Executive Director Elisa Lees Muñoz. “This year’s Courage in Journalism Award winners remind us that those who tell the world’s most vital stories, whatever the risk may be, are our true heroes. We congratulate Jessikka, Solafa, Yakeen, and Gulchehra for your spectacular work and uncommon bravery.”

Jessikka Aro reports from the frontlines of Russian information warfare, conducting courageous investigations inside troll factories while enduring incessant attacks and sexual harassment.

Her story is now available in her bestselling narrative nonfiction PUTIN’S TROLLS that has already been acquired by publishers in 7 territories and sold over 20 000 copies in Finland.

Ask for the full English manuscript of PUTIN’S TROLLS by clicking here.

NEW EXCELLENT REVIEW FOR PUTIN’S TROLLS

”Jessikka Aro’s ambitions are to show that the Russian troll business is not a single phenomenon, but a whole system that does not rule out unpleasant surprises in the future. She succeeds well in proving this.”

Here is the full review from Hufvudstadsbladet (in Swedish)

OTHER PRAISE:

”Valuable insight into Russian troll operations worldwide. ”
– Helsingin Sanomat newspaper, Finland

“Have you ever thought about how defenseless one person can be when systematically attacked with information warfare?
This is what happened to Finnish journalist Jessikka Aro. The book is an outstanding personal and educational story about the dangers of modern information society and the possibilities of defending oneself against them.
Precaution – reading this can severely damage one’s naivety with irreversible consequences.”
 – Raul Rebane, Stratkom, Estonia

”A brave and forceful attempt in the time of the ongoing information warfare
to make the invisible culprits visible.”
– László Kúnos, Director, Corvina Kiado, Hungary

”The extraordinary story of Finnish journalist Jessika Aro is a prime example of a great personal courage and journalist’s dedication face to face new types of threats at the time of an actual hybrid information conflict. The book represents important evidence in the recent debates about the risks we underestimate or even don’t realize.”
– Ján Simkanič, Director, Denik N, Czech Republic