Women to the fore at forum awards

Dubai The 11th Arab Media Forum (AMF) concluded Wednesday with the announcement of the region's foremost acknowledgement of excellence in media — the Arab Journalism Awards (AJA).

At a gala ceremony attended by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, 17 media professionals were honoured.

Also present were Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture.

The awards, organised by Dubai Press Club (DPC), had a shortlist of 36 nominees in ten categories from 4,000 submissions. In addition, the AJA honoured four outstanding media people under Special Award; Media Personality of the Year 2012; and Newspaper Column. These were decided by 60 jury members comprising reputed journalists and industry leaders from across the Arab region.

Challenging job

Shaikh Mohammad honoured four media people. The recipients for Special Awards were Laila Rustom, an expert in culture and media with several incisive interviews to her credit, and Rafiq Khoury, one of the most prominent journalists in the Arab world; for Media Personality of the Year 2012, was Nasser Mohammad Al Sanousi, Kuwaiti Media Expert; and for Newspaper Column was Dr Badriya Al Beshr, assistant professor at Al Jazeera University in the UAE.

Maryam Bin Fahd, executive director of Dubai Press Club, told Gulf News the jury had a challenging job. "The judges follow a strict selection procedure to evaluate submissions and select winners. The winners are not revealed until the award ceremony. We have introduced two Special Awards winners this year."

She said they had built the credibility of the award ovr the past decade. "We have had eminent judges who have been part of the selection committees over the years. Even though the AJA is a separate project from Arab Media Forum that Dubai Press Club organises, we time the awards when distinguished media are in the country."

The award witnessed a few firsts including the first woman to win the prestigious award in Newspaper Column. It was also the first time that distinguished media personalities and AJA board members were invited to honour the winners — a new format for the AJA.

The winners are: Special Award: Laila Rustom, an expert in culture and media.

Rafiq Khoury, a guardian of freedom of opinion and expression and one of the most prominent journalists in the Arab world.

Media Personality of the Year 2012: Nasser Mohammad Al Sanousi, a Kuwaiti Media Expert. He was recognised for his contribution to the growth of the Arab media and Kuwaiti media in particular. A key contributor to the formation of Kuwaiti television, he is also the former general manager of Kuwait TV. In addition, he has served as Kuwaiti Information Minister and chairman of the Board of Directors of the GCC Joint Programme Production Institution.

Newspaper Column: Dr Badriya Al Beshr, assistant professor at Al Jazeera University in the UAE. A Saudi writer, she is the first woman to win the prestigious award.

Investigative Reporting: Ali Zalat and Mohammad Al Kholy from the Masry Al Youm newspaper for their report called ‘Carcinogenic clothes fill Egyptian markets'. The award was presented by Dhaen Shaheen, Member of the Board of Directors for the Arab Journalism Awards.

Economic Journalism: Omar Khalil Azabi from Emarat Al Youm newspaper for his work ‘The UAE is investing in the sun as a substitute for the power of oil'. Writer Sekina Fouad, AJA Board Member, presented the award.

Political Journalism: Salah Salem for his work titled ‘Arab spring and forms of relationship between religion and the state', published in the Al Ahram newspaper. Dr Mohieddine Amimour, AJA Board Member, presented the award.

Cultural Criticism: Ahmad Nagy Ahmad from the Egyptian newspaper Akhbar Al Adab, for his article ‘Graphite — long live the obsolescent art'. Ahmad Behbehani. AJA Board Member, presented the award.