Aung Zaw is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Irrawaddy, a news organization first established in 1993 that is dedicated to Burma-related news through a monthly magazine and daily news site. Branded an "enemy of the state" by the former military regime, The Irrawaddy continues to come under pressure from President Thein Sein's current quasi-civilian administration. Aung Zaw's news outlets publish in both English and Burmese and are widely recognized as authoritative and independent. Aung Zaw, who until recently was blacklisted from entering Burma, frequently writes on issues related to press freedom.He received CPJ International Press Freedom Awards in 2014.