NDTV managing editor Barkha Dutt has been given the CBA-Thomson Foundation Journalist of the Year Award constituted by the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA) and Thomson Foundation. Dutt won in a category that included nominations from 53 Commonwealth countries.
Dutta was given the award for her reporting in the past on issues like the earthquake in Jammu and Kashmir, the campaign for justice in the Jessica Lall murder case and the communal violence in Vadodara.
The CBA-Rolls Royce Award for Exceptional News Feature went to BBC World Service for the programme Global Account: Turkmenistan — an undercover documentary in a secretive and repressive regime, which gives graphic account of life for ordinary people denied basic necessities like healthcare and freedom of expression.
The CBA-World Bank Award for Programmes on Development Issues also went to the BBC for Mamouzai's Afghan Ladies' Driving School — an outstanding film looking at issues like gender and the relationship between women and men in Afghanistan, as well as giving a grassroots view of the country's first democratic parliamentary election in 30 years.
Populations Services International/Nepal has been Highly Commended for its entry in this category — Sanjeevani — The Net of Life.
The CBA-UNESCO Award for Science Reporting and Programming was won by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) for the radio programme Biofuels: Greening Our Energy Future — an engaging, tightly written, extremely informative programme bringing local colour to the global issues of climate change. "The Magic of Science" by Bangladesh Betar was Highly Commended in this category.
Soul City Institute for Health & Development Communication in South Africa was the winner of the CBA-UNICEF Children's Programme Award for the television programme Buddyz on the Move — a children's programme dealing with a serious issue like HIV/AIDS, a complex subject beautifully and naturally presented by a talented team of young reporters. 'Michael Loves Nancy' by Wan Smolbag Theatre of Vanuatu was Highly Commended in the Children's Programme category.
The CBA-Amnesty International Award for Human Rights Programme goes to South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) for Soweto Water - a powerful radio programme underscoring the vital connection between water and human rights.
There were two Highly Commended programmes in the Human Rights category, both of which were awarded to BBC television programmes — The Truth About Styal Prison and Black and White: David Gillanders
The CBA-IBC Award for Innovative Engineering was jointly won by the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)
The Elizabeth R Award for Exceptional Contribution to Public Service Broadcasting went to Mohammed Abdur Rouf of Radio Bangladesh (Bangladesh Betar).
