The Times journalists, photographer scoop awards

Two journalists and a photographer at The Times scooped four titles during the Malta Journalism Awards 2008 held at Robert Samut Hall in Floriana, last night.

Ariadne Massa won the news and features sections, while Kevin Azzopardi netted the award for sports journalism.

His sixth award since 1996, Darrin Zammit Lupi won the sports photo section. Two other The Times photographers, Matthew Mirabelli and Chris Sant Fournier, were finalists.

TVM trawled four awards in different categories, with the Xarabank team winning the awards for TV film and TV script.

The awards, organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM), included 11 categories and two special awards. Reno Bugeja was awarded for good use of Maltese language while the Gold Award was won by Joe Micallef Stafrace.

The Gold Award is given to a nominated person who, according to an independent jury, has gone beyond the call of duty of journalism during his or her career.

There were 53 participants, 12 more than last year said the jury, composed of Tony Formosa, Anna Mallia and Michael Schiavone. However, they wished to see more journalists submitting their works especially those working in radio and TV.

The photography sections were judged by Tony Mangion.

The jury commented on the presentation of the submissions, saying many were presented carelessly. It added that the awards should also give space to opinion columnists.

The jury noticed a disproportionate number of printed media submissions compared to radio and TV . Many news organisations did not make any submissions.

IĠM chairman Malcolm J. Naudi called for more constructive journalism and applauded the setting up of the Malta Youth Press and the code of ethics commissioned by Labour leader Joseph Muscat.

Veteran journalist Joe Mercieca who passed away last August 14 was remembered for his contribution to journalism.

The winners in the various categories were:

Print Journalism - News: (Sponsored by HSBC Bank Malta plc) Ariadne Massa - The Times;

Print Journalism - Features: (Sponsored by Vodafone Malta Ltd) Ariadne Massa - The Times;

Press Photography: (Sponsored by The Farsons Foundation) Michael Ellul - In-Nazzjon;

Travel Journalism: (Sponsored by Emirates Airline) Alvin Scicluna - PBS;

Broadcast Journalism - TV Script: (Sponsored by the Malta Broadcasting Authority) Xarabank Team - PBS;

Broadcast Journalism - TV Film: (Sponsored by the Malta Broadcasting Authority) Xarabank Team - PBS;

Broadcast Journalism - Radio: (Sponsored by the Malta Broadcasting Authority) Reno Bugeja - Radju Malta;

Cultural Journalism: (Sponsored by the Malta Tourism Authority) Victor Vella - l-orizzont;

Sports Journalism - News: (Sponsored by Good Causes Fund) Kevin Azzopardi - The Times;

Sports Photo Journalism: (Sponsored by the Malta International Airport) Darrin Zammit Lupi - The Times;

E-Journalism: (Sponsored by SmartCity Malta) Robert Micallef - maltamedia.com;

Maltese Language in Journalism: Reno Bugeja - PBS; Gold Award: