The Journalist Association of Bhutan (JAB) conducted Annual Journalism Award 2015, coinciding with the World Press Freedom Day, yesterday. Journalists from various media houses in the country were awarded in recognition of excellence in journalism in five different categories.
The award was conducted by the Journalist Association of Bhutan for the first time to inspire and motivate the journalists that would help improve the quality and standard of journalism.
“I can assure you, on my watch, courts will protect freedom of speech,” said the Chief Justice of Supreme Court, Lyonpo Tshering Wangchuk, who was the chief guest at the ceremony.
“Be mindful of your duty to our society, rely on emotional intelligence as Bhutanese, deliver quality information courageously, and publicize system shortcoming and failure. All this goals must be achieved through well researched and investigative report with credible evidence.”
Kuensel took away most of the awards, including the most prized award, Jigme Singye Wangchuck Prestigious Journalism Award 2015. Rinzin Wangchuk, working as Dzongkha Editor in Kuensel, received the prestigious award for his major contribution in journalism for 25 years. He also won the best editorial in Dzongkha.
The best editorial for English went to Kuensel’s Editor, Ugyen Penjore. Tenzin Lamsang from the Bhutanese took the award for the best investigative story in English and Tenzin Namgyal from Kuensel took away best investigative story in Dzongkha.
The best feature story in English was bagged by Jigme Wangchuk from Kuensel and Nima Wangdi also from Kuensel took the award for the best feature story in Dzongkha.
In television category, Sonam Lhamo from BBS was named the winner for the Best TV Documentary, Tshering Chhoden and Phuntsho Choden both from BBS for the Best TV Talk Show and Kuenga Tashi also from BBS for the Best TV News Story.
For radio category, Radio Valley took away all the awards. Namgay Zam won the Best Radio Talk Show, Thinley Penjor, the Best Radio Documentary and Kunga Tenzin Dorji, the Best Radio Personality.
