First edition of State level Media Awards for Punjab announced in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, February 7, 2019: In a bid to honour excellence in the field of journalism at the state, district and local level, the Joshi Foundation announced first ever State level Media Awards, titled as 'Joshi Foundation Media Awards Punjab" here today at Chandigarh. These Awards are aimed at felicitating the talented media professionals who through their work and creativity have defended the highest standards of journalism in Punjab in the year 2018, said Vineet Joshi, Chairman, Joshi Foundation.

The announcement was made in the presence of Jury Members including Vipin Pubby, former Resident Editor, Indian Express; Prof. B.K.KUTHIALA, former Vice Chancellor, Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism & Communication, Bhopal; Naresh Kaushal, former Editor, Dainik Tribune, Sardar S.S. Tej, former Editor, Punjabi Tribune; Ashok Malik, National President, National Union of Journalists (India); Ajay Shukla Chief Editor, ITV Group; Baljit Balli, Chief Editor Babushahi.com; Nanki Hans, Former President Chandigarh Press Club, BS Rawat President Chandigarh press club; Member of Press Council of India Balwinder Jammu and Rajnish Katyal, Former Chief Photographer, Hindustan Times.

The other members of the jury are Prabhjot Singh, Editor, PTC News; Ritesh Lakhi, Senior Editor at News18 Punjab; Dr. Manmohan, Sahitya Academy Award winner; Khushal Lali, Senior Broadcaster, BBC Punjabi; and, Prof.(Dr.) K.K. Rattu, former Deputy Director General, IBS (Indian Broadcasting Services), Govt. of India, Swadesh Talwar, former Chief Photo Editor, Indian Express and Karam Singh, former Chief Photographer, The Tribune.

The categories for which the awards will be given along with a cash award of twenty one thousand each include Outstanding Reporting in affairs related to Governance, Civil matters and Polity; Best Investigative Reporting; Outstanding Reporting in the field of Education; Outstanding Report in Health Care; Best Sports Coverage; Outstanding Reporting on Agrarian issues; Outstanding Reporting on raising Environmental issues; Outstanding Reporting on Drugs issue; Outstanding Contribution in Journalism Education; Best photo journalist and Best video journalist. Rupees Thirty One Thousand is the cash award for Journalist of the year and rupees fifty one thousand is the cash award for Life Time Contribution to Journalism.

Speaking the occasion Vipin Pubby said, “it is an endeavour to recognize and honour the resilient spirit of journalistic values being practiced in Punjab. The Joshi Foundation Media Awards are the first ever attempt to honour the silent warriors of pen and ideas. It is a tribute to the yeoman’s service being rendered by journalists working across the region to consistently patronize the values of democracy, equality, transparency, accountability and secularism.”

Naresh Kaushal and SS Tej jointly deliberated on the importance of recognizing and honouring free and fearless media professionals. “As the society and polity pass through the phase of newer dimensions of media being on an exploration, the initiative to decorate and honour the indomitable spirit of diligent and professional pursuit of truth is always a service which the society at large owes to the journalistic fraternity. Be it print or the electronic media, the saga of eye opener, path breaking and investigative stories bringing out the truth originating from the region is truly a matter of pride for the democratic values,” they said.

Stressing on the need for credibility of media in present times, Ajay Shukla, Ashok Malik, Nanki Hans, BS Rawat and Baljit Balli shared, “As the rapidly changing scenario in the media world witnesses a kaleidoscopic transformation with the advent of social media, the need for credibility and responsibility in dissemination of information and news is ever more pressing”.

Meanwhile, Dr HK Bali said, “Honoring the drive, the zeal, the passion, the curiosity, the resilience, the determination and the grit that the journalists of the region personify through their daily work is a matter of deep pride and truly great responsibility.”

Concluding the press conference Saurabh Joshi said, “Joshi Foundation endeavours to live upto the standards by putting the worthy work by the journalists to the celebrated and experienced jury of judges and have the best of the work recognized and awarded.”

The last date for the submission of entries is February 28, 2019. The award ceremony will be held on the first or second Sunday of the March.