BEIRUT: Syrian cartoonist Ali Farzat was named journalist of the year at the 2011 Prize for Press Freedom for his defense of press freedom.

“This year we are honoring a courageous journalist who has been the victim of brutal repression by an obsolete government,” Reporters Without Borders secretary general Jean-François Julliard said. Reporters Without Borders awarded the prize along with the French newspaper Le Monde.

“Ali Farzat fully deserves this award. His cartoons target the abuses of a desperate regime with its back to the wall and encourage Syrians to demand their rights and to express themselves freely.”

At an awards ceremony Wednesday in Paris, Reporters Without Borders and Le Monde also awarded Burmese newspaper Weekly Eleven News the prize for media of the year.

Farzat was unable to attend the ceremony, and renowned French cartoonist Plantu read a statement on his behalf. “I would have liked to have been with you ... to take part in this beautiful event,” the statement said. “I dedicate this award to the martyrs, to those who have been injured and to those who struggle for freedom. May thanks be given to all those who have turned the Arab Spring into a victory over darkness and repression.”

The 60-year-old Syrian cartoonist rose to prominence in the 1980s with his satirical yet non-descript images of bureaucrats, big brother and other bullies. One of Syria’s most famous artists, he later earned international recognition and the respect of many Arabs with stinging caricatures that infuriated dictators including Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, Libya’s Moammar Gadhafi and more recently, Syria’s Assad family.

In 2000, during a brief period of relative media freedom in Syria, Farzat launched the first independent newspaper since the country’s ruling Baath party took power in 1963. The government shut the paper in 2003 following numerous articles critical of public officials.

Farzat made headlines again this year after drawing satirical cartoons comparing Syrian President Bashar Assad with Libyan ruler Moammar Gadhafi, who by then had been ousted.

Farzag became a vehement critic of the Assad regime, particularly after crackdowns on the country’s protest movement began.

Before inheriting Syria’s presidency from his father in 2000, Bashar Assad used to visit Farzat’s exhibitions and offer encouraging words, the artist has said.

This August, Farzat was attacked by a group who broke two fingers on his left hand, damaged his right arm and one of his eyes. He said at the time that four men were involved, springing on him as he returned home before dawn.

According to opposition activists, security forces and masked pro-regime militias were behind the attack.

Reporters Without Borders has awarded the prize every year since 1992 to a journalist and news media source that has made significant contribution to the defense and promotion of press freedom. Le Monde became a partner in the prize this year.

This October, Farzat received the Sakharov prize from the European parliament, which is awarded to campaigners for freedom.