Meryl Streep to present Amal Clooney with prestigious Press Freedom Award

The Lebanon-born human rights lawyer will also be interviewed on the night by Maria Ressa

Meryl Streep, left, will present Amal Clooney with the Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award this month. Getty Images

She has built a career on helping give a voice to those in need, but now Amal Clooney is the one in the spotlight.

The Beirut-born human rights lawyer will be recognised at this month's Committee to Protect Journalists International Press Freedom Awards, where she will be honoured with the Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award.

The trophy, which will be awarded in an online ceremony on Monday, November 9, is given to individuals who show "extraordinary achievement in the cause of press freedom".

"This year's awardee, Amal Clooney, has been a committed advocate for the rights of journalists, calling on world leaders to stand up for the press," CPJ said as the award was announced.

The accolade will be bestowed to Clooney, 42, on the night by Oscar winner Meryl Streep.

"In times of unprecedented uncertainty, it's journalists who are out there, gathering the facts and trying to help us make sense of it all," Streep said in a statement shared with People. "By asking tough questions, and pursuing the truth at any cost, they are essential workers — serving the public and protecting democracy."

Clooney, who wed Hollywood actor George Clooney in 2014, is known for her work with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad on behalf of Iraq's Yazidi minority.

The barrister has also served as counsel for the likes of Filipina-American journalist and Rappler co-founder Maria Ressa, who will interview Clooney as part of the awards ceremony.

NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt will host the ceremony and will be joined on the night by fellow journalists such as CNN's Christiane Amanpour and PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor.