Celebrating the role of journalism in informing, inspiring, and holding those in power accountable, the 9th Annual Journalism Award was held last evening. The event brought together reporters, editors, broadcasters, and digital creators. Nineteen awards were presented, recognising excellence in storytelling across a range of topics from investigative reports and climate change to disability issues and social media impact.
The JAB organised the awards, which covered print, broadcast, radio, and digital media. The awards were given in 12 categories for the print media, five for broadcast and radio and two special awards.
One of the night’s most anticipated awards went to Karma Samten Wangda, a reporter from Bhutan Broadcasting Service, who received the Promising Young Journalist of the Year award.
“I think this award is important, especially for young journalists, because it pushes us to do better than what we are already doing in a fast-paced work environment. We always have to push ourselves to the limit, and when we get recognised for something like this, young reporters like me get encouraged to do even better.”
Likewise, Yeshi Lhendup Films received the Impactful Social Media User Award for creative and socially engaged storytelling in the digital space.
In the print category, Tenzin Lamsang, editor of The Bhutanese, won both the Investigative Story of the Year and Business Story of the Year awards, cementing his reputation in investigative journalism. This marks his seventh investigative journalism award in his 19-year career.
“I hope this can inspire younger journalists to also take up investigative journalism. It is not easy. It’s difficult, but I think the essence of journalism is there in investigative journalism because you are uncovering things and the main aim is to help the public, to help society and to help the country. So, I think I am very happy about this award.”
Nidup Lhamo from Business Bhutan won the Feature Story of the Year, while Chencho Dema, a senior reporter with Kuensel, took home both the Crime Story of the Year and the Disability Story of the Year awards.
“I have been in this journalism profession for more than 15 years, and I have been writing on crime for all these years, but I have never won an award. And today, I am short of words, but this award means a lot to me because I have invested my time, energy, and everything in this. Now, this motivates me,” said Chencho Dema, reporter, Kuensel.
Neten Dorji from Kuensel won the Culture Story of the Year. Similarly, a few more from Kuensel received key awards: Ugyen Dorji for Climate Change Story of the year, Lhakpa Quendren for Environment Story of the year, Thinley Namgay for the Sports Story of the year, Yam Kumar Poudel for the Photo Story of the year, Sherab Lhamo for the WASH Story of the year and Jigme Wangchuk for the Editorial of the year.
In the broadcast category, Kinley Dem from BBS won the TV News Story of the Year in English, while Karma Wangdi, also from BBS, won the same award in Dzongkha. Phuntsho Namgyal, a producer with BBS, was named the TV Host of the Year.
Meanwhile, Documentary of the Year went to Namgay Zam and Sumitra Pradhan from Kuzoo FM took home the Radio Host of the Year award.
During the event, JAB also launched the report titled “Findings of Rapid Assessment Survey on Media Landscape in Bhutan”, offering timely insights into the country’s evolving media environment.
As the night ended, the awards not only honoured exceptional journalism but also reaffirmed its role in serving the public by encouraging both established and emerging voices to continue telling Bhutan’s most important stories.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Sonam Pem
