DesiBlitz and Asian Network Among Winners
In an inspiring night for the Asian media industry, the Midlands celebrated its talent as it picked up four awards.
The star-studded ceremony hosted by Sky News presenter Jannat Jalil took place at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate.
Birmingham-based DesiBlitz.com picked-up their second AMA for Best Website in two years after it was named Best Website. Popular daytime radio-host, Noreen Khan was named Best Radio Show whilst the BBC Asian Network picked-up their third consecutive AMA in the Radio Station of the Year category.
Fellow Midlanders Leicester City Council were names Best Event Award with their annual Diwali Lights Switch-on event.
Ranvir Singh was named as the Media Personality of the Year 2015. In 2015 she has been seen on ITN News as well as Good Morning Britain and also fronted a number of investigation pieces tackling issues ranging from the refugee crisis to drink driving.
Celebrated actor Roshan Seth was honoured with the Sophiya Haque Services to British Television and Film Award.
The Asian Media Awards Best Investigation category in 2015 featured ground-breaking work tackling controversial subject matters from across the globe. The recipient of the 2015 award was Leslee Udwin’s film ‘India’s Daughter.’
BBC Current Affairs Editor Kavita Puri was presented with the Journalist of the Year award.
The highly contested University of Salford Outstanding Young Journalist of the Year award was won by Siraj Datoo, Political Reporter with the website Buzzfeed.
ITV Meridian’s Sangeeta Bhabra was named Regional Journalist of the Year. ‘Slave Wives’ a report by BBC Newsnight won the TV Report of the Year 2015 award.
Anita Anand was named Radio Presenter of the Year. Media Moguls and Star Plus also picked-up their third AMA in their respective categories.
Sabras Radio who celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2015 was named Regional Radio Station of the Year. Natasha Mudhar beat-off strong competition to win the Media Professional of the Year accolade.
Asad Shan was named TV Presenter of the Year and Desi Rascals named Best TV Show. Rakhee Thakrar’s portrayal of Shabnam Masood in Eastenders saw her presented with the Best TV Character Award.
Live stage productions featured as a new category in this year’s awards, with Bend It Like Beckham, The Musical, winning the new accolade.
Leeds based newspaper Asian Express won the Publication of the Year Award. In the Online section Amena Beauty, known more commonly as Pearl Daisy. Parle Patel was presented with the Best Video Channel Award for Planet Parle.
Director Waris Hussein presented the Outstanding Contribution to Media Award to former BBC producer Tara Prem. It came on a night as the awards also celebrated 50 years of Asian programming on the BBC.
The evening also saw an emotional tribute, read by Amrit Matharu, to Punjab2000 founder, Tony Singh Pabla, who died earlier this year.
Winners:
Publication of the Year: Asian Express
Best Blog: Amena Beauty
Best Website: DesiBlitz.com
Best Video Channel: Planet Parle
Best Live Event: Diwali Lights-on Leicester
Best Stage Production: Bend It Like Beckham: The Musical
Media Professional of the Year: Natasha Mudhar
Media Agency of the Year: Media Moguls
TV Report of the Year: Slave Wives (BBC Newsnight)
Best TV Show: Desi Rascals
Best TV Character Rakhee Thakrar (Shabnam Masood)
TV Channel of the Year Star Plus
TV Presenter of the Year: Asad Shan
Regional Radio Station of the Year: Sabras Radio
Best Radio Show: Noreen Khan
Radio Station of the Year: BBC Asian Network
Radio Presenter of the Year: Anita Anand
Outstanding Young Journalist: Siraj Datoo (Buzzfeed)
Regional Journalist of the Year: Sangeeta Bhabra
Best Investigation: India’s Daughter
Journalist of the Year: Kavita Puri
Sophiya Haque Services to British Television & Film: Roshan Seth
Media Personality of the Year 2015: Ranvir Singh
Outstanding Contribution to Media: Tara Prem
