The Times photographers win journalism awards

The Times photographers Chris Sant Fournier and Darrin Zammit Lupi placed first and second respectively in the press photography category at the 16th edition of the Malta Journalism Awards, organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) yersterday. Darrin Zammit Lupi also won the new category for sports photography.

Institute chairman Malcom Naudi said Maltese journalism is again at the cross roads. He was critical of certain journalists who used the profession for personal or professional interests.

Maltese journalism does not need these people, he said, without naming anyone, insisting however, that he expected all journalists to respect their own profession, their colleagues and the Maltese people.

The Malta Journalism Awards should reward those journalists who have worked in a serious and credible way in every circumstance, he said.

The judging panel for the 16th edition of the awards, which was made up of Godfrey Pirotta, Anna Mallia and Charles Xuereb, also had critical comments for the journalists who took part in the awards.

All in all, the judges said, the level of the work submitted was not of a high level, even though there were submissions which reached the expected level.

In the radio category, for instance, the panel recommended that no prize be given.

The panel made its recommendations for a number of the categories and called for a new category for opinion writers.

The Gold Award was given to Paul Saliba for his work at Lehen is-Sewwa. The panel praised Mr Saliba for his dedication and voluntary but consistent and professional contribution to Maltese journalism.

The first prize winners in each category were:

Print Journalism News: Victor Vella (l-Orizzont);

Print Journalism Features: Brandon Pisani (l-Orizzont);

Press Photography: Chris Sant Fournier (The Times);

Overseas Assignments (new category): Julia Farrugia, Joe Cachia, Joseph Fava, Pablo Micallef and Charles Ahar (One TV);

Broadcast Journalism TV Script: Julia Farruigia, Joe Cachia, Pablo Micallef, Charles Ahar and Danjel Bugeja (One TV);

Broadcast Journalism TV Film: Tracci team made up of Pablo Micallef, Charles Ahar, Julia Farrugia and Joe Cachia (One TV);

Culture Tourism: Alvin Scicluna (TVM);

E-Journalism: Robert Micallef (maltamedia.com with blog);

Sports Photography (new category): Darrin Zammit Lupi (The Times);

Sports Journalism: Charles Camenzuli (Net TV); and

L-Ilsien Malti fil-Gurnalizmu: Alvin Scicluna (Overseas Assignment Category).

The award ceremony will be screened on Melita Cable Channel 12 (analogue)/Channel 100 (digital) on Friday at 9 p.m.