Said Najib Asil is the President and CEO of Free Speech Centre, a journalist-centric, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting journalists, their rights, and advocating for freedom of speech. Mr. Asil recently served at CBC News as a JHR fellow from September 2022 to September 2023. With nearly two decades of journalism experience, Mr. Asil’s expertise shines through his leadership role as the head of Current Affairs at TOLOnews, Afghanistan’s largest media network, and pioneering 24/7 news and current affairs TV channel. His freelance work includes collaborations with BBC World News, France 24, NPR, and The Walrus magazine, among others. Mr. Asil has attended several conferences on media and journalism in conflict-affected countries. He was awarded the Freedom Champion for his efforts in promoting human rights, individual freedom, and fostering a free and inclusive society in Afghanistan’s challenging environments. He holds a BSc in Journalism from Kabul University and Public Administration from TDSB, Toronto, Ontario.