A Tanzanian journalist awarded a prestigious prize for press freedom yesterday said he hoped the recognition would 'lift the corner of the veil' on the plight of reporters in his homeland. Maxence Melo, a blogger whose critical writings of President John Magufuli have landed him in hot water, was named one of five recipients of the International Press Freedom Prize by the Committee to Protect Journalists. The New York-based panel said the co-founder of the Jamii Forums blog in 2006, was a 'champion of online freedom of expression' who never flinched, even in the face of Tanzania's strict Internet laws. A report on the News24 site notes that it said Melo has appeared in court more than 80 times and was still facing prosecution for refusing to disclose his sources in a story criticising Tanzanian authorities. His work focuses on corruption, tax evasion and human rights violations. 'This prize lifts a corner of the veil on what is happening in our country,' said Melo, who is barred from leaving Tanzania's financial capital and biggest city, Dar es Salaam. The report notes that Tanzania fell 25 places in Reporters Without Borders press freedom index this year, with the media watchdog branding Magufuli a 'press freedom predator' who attacked journalists with impunity.