21 hours ago
Star Media Group bags two golds at 2024 MPI-PETRONAS journalism awards
KUALA LUMPUR: The Star Media Group (SMG) bagged two gold awards at the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI)-PETRONAS Malaysian Journalism Awards (HKM) 2024 on Friday (June 20).
Executive editor of content design Tung Eng Hwa, as well as chief designer Muhammad Hafeez Aminuddin, and deputy chief designer Hassan Bahri, took home the gold prize in the Best Infographic category, along with a RM10,000 cash prize, trophy, and certificate.
Senior writer Ragananthini Vethasalam clinched first place in the Best News Reporting category, earning a RM10,000 cash prize for her impactful series: A Stillborn Heart Centre, Heart of the Centre Is Not Beating, Operating a Solution, Three OTs Back in Action, Heart Ops Comes to a Halt, and No More Shocks for Hospital.
The Star also secured both second and third place in the Best Multimedia category, with the winning teams receiving RM3,000 and RM2,000 in cash prizes, respectively, along with trophies.
The team that bagged the silver award comprised senior news editor Abdul Razak Ahmad Idris, chief news editor Nik Mazwin Nik Anis, deputy chief designer Foo Chern Hwan, and chief digital designer Nor Shalina Abdul Samad for their What's In It For You in Budget? series.
The bronze award for the category went to the team of deputy news editor Sheridan Mahavera, senior writer Tarrence Tan, senior writer Ragananthini Vethasalam, and journalist Muhammad Shyafiq Dzulkifli for their interactive General Election series.
The Star Metro journalist Muhammad Farid Abdul Wahab secured third place in the Best Feature Writing category, earning a RM2,000 cash prize and a certificate.
In the Best Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Journalism category, senior chief videographer Juliana Mohd Fauzi took third place for her compelling series: Bring the Forest Back to Life Again, From Forest Guardians to Wildlife Saviours, Custodians of the Malayan Tigers, Foodbanking for the Needy, and Braving the Forests to Conserve Wildlife.
SMG chief content officer Datin Paduka Esther Ng said the awards serve as an encouragement for the organisation to stay true to its strengths.
'Thanks to MPI for the recognition! This will only spur us on, doing what we do best.
She said SMG has always championed topics and issues that are close to the people's hearts.
'We have been active in forging the path with digital storytelling, as well as the traditional print, which we are proud to defend.
'This awards show that we are going the right direction. Thanks to our great team!' she said.
Tung said he was proud of the team's achievement, highlighting how impactful storytelling can be effectively delivered through illustrations and graphics.
'Through this visual piece on the serious threat of microplastics, we hope to raise greater awareness so that everyone becomes more mindful about our environment and reconsiders their use of plastic,' he said.
Ragananthini expressed gratitude to her editors for supporting and shaping the impactful story.
'I would like to dedicate this award to the whistleblower who braved all odds to come forward with this story.
'I am glad to have played a very small part in providing them a platform to amplify the call for action and mount pressure on authorities to act fast,' she said.
A remembrance and special award were conferred upon the late Rozaid Abdul Rahman, who previously served as the group consulting editor at The Star.
Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai was honoured with the Tokoh Wartawan Negara award in recognition of his extensive experience and significant contributions to Malaysian journalism.
Wong has served The Star for over 35 years in various capacities and roles. He is now group editorial and corporate affairs adviser to the group, after having served as group managing director/chief executive officer.
