By Fazal Khaliq
MINGORA: Around 12 journalists of Swat valley were honored with awards for their best news stories on different topics here on Sunday evening.
The First Excellence in Journalism Awards, 2016 were given to the winners in a grand ceremony organized by Swatnews, Gamoona soceity in collaboration with the journalism and mass communication department of Swat University and SRSP EU-PEACE project.
“The awards were given to recognize the work of journalists of Swat, promoting quality reporting and ethical journalism in 12 categories including the best story on climate change, culture, education, health, history, tourism, investigative story, best journalist photo and best article,” said Rafi Ullah, a teacher of journalism in Swat University and one of the organizers of the award.
The best health story award was earned by Daily Dawn news reporter Fazal Khaliq, the best sports and education awards went to Fayaz Zafar of Voice of America, the best history documentary award was grabbed by Niaz Ahamd Khan of Mashal Radio, the best Climate change award went to the Express TV reporter Sherin Zada, the best Human rights story award was achieved by Haroon Seraj of the Nation, the best culture story award went to Saeed ur Rehman of Khyber News, the best tourism story award went to Shehzad Allam of ARY TV, the best camera work award was clinched by Samma TV cameraman Farzand Ali, the best journalistic photo award went to Slaman, a free-lance photographer while the best article award was won by Gulfam Hussain.
Apart from journalism awards, those who served Swat in different fields were also honored with tribute awards while four journalists who were martyred during the militancy were also awarded.
According to organizers, an independent and professional jury was formed mainly of the Peshawar University Journalism department teachers. The ceremony was attended by large number of civil society members, elected representatives, journalists from different cities of the country and elders.
Journalism teachers and experts lauded the effort to recognize the services and quality work of journalists of the militancy-hit and flood affected Swat valley. They said the initiative would help encourage field journalists to focus on quality and ethical journalism in future in the best interest of the country.
