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Kaieteur News secures three media awards
Minister within the Ministry of Public Heath, Dr. Karen Cummings, on Friday charged reporters to protect the “free press” by not degrading it through exploitation for commercial gain.
(from right) Dr. Paloma Mohammed, PAHO/WHO country representative Dr.William Ado Krow, and Public Health Minister George Norton on Friday night with participants and winners of the 2015 PAHO Clare Forrester Media Awards for excellence in Health Journalism.
Delivering her keynote address at the awards ceremony, Dr. Cummings said that journalists are the watchdogs. She said this is important in the establishment of press freedom.
“An independent press is a free press; courts have affirmed it. Citizens rely on it. And as journalists, you have an obligation to protect this watchdog freedom by not demeaning it in frivolous use or exploiting it for commercial gain,” she insisted, challenging them to produce fair and balanced articles.
Dr. Cummings stated that journalists should engage the public in responsive and responsible dialogue in order to promote a “more open and progressive society.” They should be ethically sensitive to the truth and facts over and above sentimental, sensational and sellable attributes.
She asserted that since a vast majority of the public get their information on health and science from the mass media, it is critical that health journalism publishes accurate and reliable health information.
“As health journalists you are also responsible for creating awareness about health issues that are current and relevant to the population,” she stated.
She noted that health journalists play a bigger role in influencing behavioural and lifestyle changes among persons in society; impacting health policy; and stimulating new discussions about the important health issues and developments they include in their various productions.
On Friday, the Pan-American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) honoured health journalists for their outstanding coverage on health issues for 2015.
(From left) Kaieteur News Editor-in-Chief with former Kaieteur News health reporter Desilon Daniels and current health reporter Jeanna Pearson on Friday night at the 2015 PAHO Clare Forrester Media Awards for excellence in Health Journalism.
Former Kaieteur News reporter, Desilon Daniels, was adjudged the overall winner of the Clare Forrester Media Awards. She was also second for Best News Feature story and Best feature story for online category.
Kaieteur News reporter Jeanna Pearson received the first prize for Best News Feature story in the online category and second prize for the Best News story in the online category. The Kaieteur newspaper also ran third for submitting the most nominated entries for the media awards.
For broadcast television, Handell Duncan copped the award for the Best TV News story while Guyana Chronicle Tajeram Mohabir received the award for the Best News story in the Print category.
Stabroek News’s David Papannah won the award for Best News story in the online category and Best Print feature story was awarded to Guyana Chronicle Svetlana Marshall.
Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton said that he was grateful for PAHO’s contributions. PAHO has aided significantly in improving health systems in Guyana. He said the media is a very important health partner and he was pleased that PAHO acknowledges it through engagement workshops, information sessions and other fora.
Dr. Norton also insisted upon the media to practice responsible reporting on sensitive health issues such as suicide. He stated that journalists should be proactive rather than reactive.
“The media is the watchdog of society since it represents the interest of the people. Therefore, they should make every effort to act in the best interest of all Guyanese,” he said, adding that he will ensure that public health officials work more effectively with the media so as to advance the public health agenda.
Secretary of the Guyana Press Association, Iva Wharton, applauded PAHO/WHO for the promotion of quality journalism in issues and encouraged the media to produce articles, features and documentaries throughout the year.
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