Independent Media notches up four international awards

INDEPENDENT Media scooped four prizes at the prestigious International News Media Association (INMA) Global Media Awards in New York yesterday.

Independent Media won first prize in the category Best Community Service Campaign for the “Racism Stops With Me” (RSWM) campaign and were placed second in the Best New Print Product and Best Use of Video for the Independent Home magazine and the “Don’t Look Away” video series for 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. It also walked away with the Global Media Award for Best in Africa.

The awards were held at the prestigious Harvard Club and attended by leading media exec- utives from around the globe.

Independent Media’s executive chairman Dr Iqbal Survé said he was delighted by the achievements.

“I’m delighted to see that the RSWM campaign has been recognised globally. Congratulations to the team and our interns. South Africa can show the world how to truly deal with racism,” said Survé.

The INMA Global Media Awards take place annually. This year, there were 655 entries from news media organisations around the world.

Meanwhile, Gopio has honoured POST and its new editor Krissy Bisetty with its Community Service Award.

“We’re reminded every day of the importance of journalism in a world where, unfortunately, fake news is gaining ground,” said King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, who himself received the Gopio Life Achievement Award.

Gopio’s Africa co-ordinator Ishwar Ramlutchman said: “On behalf of Gopio International, we take pride and joy in honouring Mr Bisetty and the POST newspaper for their commitment and dedication to the Indian community.

“We also acknowledge the social programmes that are hosted by POST. Over the past few months, we have seen POST become even more active within the Indian community under the leadership of Mr Bisetty.”

Also, former Cape Times photographer Phandulwazi Jikelo has made it to the shortlist of the world-renowned Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest for young photojournalists.

Jikelo’s striking picture of a protester swinging a burning tyre during a housing protest in Grabouw in the Western Cape has been shortlisted in the Top News (Singles) category of the competition.

The annual event is organised by Rossiya Segodnya under the auspices of the Commission of the Russian Federation for Unesco.

Survé delighted with prestigious achievements