Journalists honoured

Source: Honouring the scribe

2nd Annual Journalism Award 4 May, 2010 - Six print and four broadcast journalists were awarded cash prizes and certificates at the second annual journalism award ceremony yesterday. The award ceremony was organised to coincide with world press freedom day on May 3.
Journalists were awarded prizes, based on the entries on four pillars of Gross National Happiness – culture, environment, economy, good governance and a fifth category on GNH discussions.

Bhutan broadcasting service corporation (BBSC) anchor and producer, Dawa, won two awards for the two panel discussions, which he produced in the categories, good governance and culture. The panel discussions were titled promotion in consolidation of democracy and national integrity. Former Bhutan Times reporter, Tshering Chuki Gyamtsho’s story on the rampant marijuana plantation in Beylangdra, Wangduephodrang, ‘The divine and the diabolic’, won the best entry in the print category for culture.

In the environment category, a documentary film, the cost of climate change, produced by Tshering Penjor of BBSC won the award. Kuensel’s Ugyen Penjore won the award in the same category for his story, The prayer flag and the forest.

Former reporter of Kuensel, Tenzing Lamsang, who now works for Business Bhutan, won the best entry for good governance for his article entitled ‘Drugs or poison’ on the quality of medical drugs, equipment and their procurement by health ministry.

In the economy category, Kuensel reporter Kinga Dema’s article, the tobacco journey, won the award, while BBS producer Neten Dorjee’s programme – Grassroots First - won under the same category.

Bhutan Observer’s reporter, Rabi C Dahal won the best entry in GNH for his article titled ‘The Ungar diary’, while BBS producer, Karma Dhendup won for his short documentary called ‘The cost of climate change’ he wrote about Thorthomi lake during a recent visit to Lunana.

The award ceremony was graced by the prime minister, Lyonchoen Jigmi Y Thinley, members of parliament, along with other dignitaries and media personnel.

Guest speaker, veteran journalist and author, Sunanda K Datta who was also a former editor of The Statesman, said that media in Bhutan has transformed since his first visit to Bhutan decades ago.

“Every media is seen as the ultimate guarantor of democracy, clean governance, of fair play,” said Sunanda K Datta. “But it’s difficult for media to fulfil these objectives when so many media houses themselves are far from democratic. Most of them are ruled by feudal families.”

The information and communication minister, Lyonpo Nanda Lal Rai, said that, with the potential role of media being recognised by all, media should always play a constructive role in informing people. “The government accepts the role of media in creating transparency and justice,” he said, adding media and the government share a hate-love relationship like anywhere else, which should be taken in a positive note.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Media award: And the winners are…

May 3: The annual media award was held today coinciding with the International Press Freedom Day. The award ceremony was organised at the Tarayana conference hall.
The awards were given by the guests at the ceremony including the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley and the keynote speaker, the former editor of the Statesman, Sunanda K. Datta Ray.
Journalists competed in five categories. These are environment, culture, economy, good governance and discussions on GNH.
Under the environment category, Tshering Penjor a producer with BBS won the award for his programme, The Cost of Climate Change, a reality of global warming and from the print media, the award was taken by Ugyen Penjore for his article on the Prayer Flag and the Forest.
In the culture category, Dawa, a current affairs producer of BBS won the award for his programme National Integrity. From the print media, the award was taken by Tshering Chuki Gyamtsho for her article, divine and the diabolic.
Neten Dorjee, an executive producer of BBS won the award in the economy category for his documentary, Grassroots First. From the print media Kinga Dema took the award for her article on Smuggling Cigarettes.
In the good governance category, Tenzin Lamsang walked away with the award from the print media and Dawa bagged the award in the broadcast category. Rabi C. Dahal won the award for his story on finding happiness in rural Bhutan under the discussion on GNH category. While in the broadcast category, the award was taken by BBS producer Karma Dendup for his documentary, Smile.
In the special category, reporting and writing in dzongkha, the award was taken by Tashi Tenzin from the print media.
The entries were judged by a panel of judges selected by the media houses. The awards include a citation and a cash prize of Nu. 25,000.