The International Journalism Award of the Knight Foundation, which established the ICFJ, will be presented to Hedl and Shadha al-Jubori, editor of the BBC's Arabic service in Baghdad, by the foundation's president Alberto Ibarguen.
"These brave reporters have proved that professional journalism is possible even in countries where the press operates under difficult and often dangerous conditions. They set an example for all of us," ICFJ president Joyce Barnathan said in a press release.
"Hedl has endured death threats, beatings and government litigation for his coverage of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia, yet nothing has weakened his commitment to substantive reporting. In the late 1990s, Hedl uncovered and published stories that implicated a wartime commander of Croatian forces in the abduction, torture and murder of ethnic Serbs in 1991-92," read the statement.
Hedl wrote about the role of Branimir Glavas, war commander of Osijek's defence, in disappearances of Serb civilians in the eastern city in 1991/92, and testified in an investigation launched after his articles.
The International Journalism Award has been presented since 1998 and its 20 recipients include journalists and editors from as many countries.
The ICFJ, a non-profit, professional organisation, promotes quality journalism worldwide in the belief that independent, vigorous media are crucial in improving the human condition.