DUBAI - Two months after Khaleej Times got a facelift — a more trendy and sleeker look — the biggest recognition has come its way. The paper won the best Editorial Coverage at the prestigious Dubai Shopping Festival Journalism and Photography Awards 2012.
The award honours the work of the Khaleej Times staff. The focus was on accurate reporting. Content was most important, as well-researched and thorough stories were published daily. Reporters, editors, designers and photojournalists contributed to the winning team effort.
The awards were presented to the winners by Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, a government authority commissioned to put Dubai on the international arts and culture scene.
The first prize for Best Feature, Magazines went to Raziqueh Hussain for her feature ‘Partners in Buying’ in wknd. magazine, a story about who is your favourite sidekick to shop with this season. “Last year was a lifetime. It was the first time I took the award home. This year, it’s a whole career in one season, the shopping season, it’s great fun,” says Raziqueh.
The second place in the magazines category went to Suchitra Steven Samuel, for her feature on the India Pavilion at Global Village. The colourful two-pager brought out the delightful spirit of India, which comes to Dubai every year.
“The India pavilion offers a kaleidoscopic view of India’s rich tradition and culture not only to multinational visitors but also to Indians, as well,” says Suchitra.
The second place for Most Promising Journalist (under the age of 28) went to Megha Pai for her feature ‘Good Old Fashion Fun’, a first person take on the Al Rigga Night Souk. “I’m just three months into journalism and this is such a big boost,” said Megha.
“I got honoured for something I enjoy the most — shopping! When I visited the night souk, I felt another world open out in front of me, the charming old Dubai that we hear of so often, but hardly get to see. Covering the DSF, I realised that when work becomes fun it isn’t work anymore!”
Grace Guino won the third place in the photography awards for her picture of the elegant Indian dancers on Al Seef Street.
“There were at least three other photographers there with their cameras ready to shoot, so I had to click at the right moment,” Grace reveals.
“What makes me most excited is the fact, that I’m the only girl who took the trophy amongst six guys. Just like how if you are a band, you vie for the Grammy, if you are a photographer in Dubai, you just have to get the DSF award.”
Khaleej Times submits its editions to the contest annually and has won a multitude of awards for writing, design and photojournalism over the years.
The DSF Journalism and Photography Award marks the most significant distinction this year — a key vote of confidence from experts in the media industry.
DSF 2012 Journalism Awards
The DSF 2012 Journalism Award featured six categories including a new category for the Best Feature by a Promising Journalist (Under 28 years old).
Best Editorial Team Coverage (English) — Khaleej Times
Best Editorial Team Coverage (Arabic) — Al Khaleej
Best Feature – Magazines (English) — Raziqueh Hussain of Khaleej Times for the article ‘Partners in Buying’ while Suchitra Steven, also of Khaleej Times won the second prize for her article ‘Rich cultural tapestry’.
Best Feature – Magazines (Arabic) — Jamila Ismail from Ara magazine won the first prize, while Rana Ibrahim from Al Sada magazine came second.
Best Feature by a Promising Journalist (Under 28 years old – English): Aya Lowe of Gulf News was adjudged winner for the article ‘DSF Harnesses Online Power’, while Megha Pai of Khaleej Times came second with the article ‘Good Old Fashioned Fun’.
Best Feature by a Promising Journalist (Under 28 years old – Arabic): Basel Abdulkariem from Al Khaleej while Ali Al Dahiri from Al Bayan clinched the second prize.
Best Feature - Local Newspapers (Arabic) — Mohammed Abdulmaksoud from Emarat Al Youm clinched the first prize, and Khaled Al Loubani from Al Bayan came second.
Best Feature - Local Newspapers (English) — Saifur Rahman of Gulf News was adjudged the winner for his article ‘A Big Bag Full of Records’ while Keith Fernandez, also of Gulf News came second with ‘Festivities Last all Year in Dubai’.
Best Feature – Regional Newspapers — Ahmed BuMerei from Al Qabbas, Kuwait.
Best Feature – Online Portals (English) — Florence Pia of Gulf News won the first prize for “Go with the Flo This DSF”.DSF 2012 Photography Awards
In the DSF Celebrations category, Nisham Abdulmanaf of The Gulf Today was adjudged the winner, while Imad Alaeddein of Al Bayan came second, and Grace Guino of Khaleej Times won the third prize.
Arshad Ali of Gulf News bagged the first prize in the DSF Shopping category while Hadrian Hernandez, also of Gulf News came second. The third prize was won by Haidar Hassan Fouad of Al Khaleej.