The winners of the first ever Awards for Excellence in Journalism, sanctioned by the local public relations association, were revealed Wednesday October 15.

At a press conference at the head office of the Seychelles Marketing Board, Mr Amitesh Banerjee, President of the Public Relations Society of Seychelles (PRSOS), announced the six individuals who garnered awards for quality reporting in television, radio and the print media.

Mr Amitesh said that Kevin Malbrook with Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) Television, Andy Henriette (SBC Radio) and Robert Andre of the Nation, will take home the awards for excellence in journalism.

Jerome Dogley (SBC Television), Jules Hoareau (SBC Radio) and Patrick Joubert (Nation) are the winners in another category – the PRSOS Special Award for Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Media.

Marie France MacGregor, the vice president of the PRSOS, said that the special award was specifically for the people who work behind the scenes and contribute to a successful story.

The selection process for all the winners, she said, was primarily based on the experiences that public relations practitioners had in working with various members of the media.

Mr Amitesh said the award winners were all found to make a “sincere attempt to come out with factual information.”

Each of the three awards for journalistic excellence had separate sponsors – the Seychelles Tourism Marketing Authority for the television award, Air Seychelles for radio and the State Assurance Company of Seychelles for print media.

All three Special Awards are sponsored by Gondwana Granite.

Mr Amitesh said that the Development Bank of Seychelles has also contributed to the awards, and that the PRSOS will be establishing them as an annual event.

Next year’s awards should also be expanded, with public relations, marketing and advertising practitioners expected to be recognised as well.  Mr Amitesh said that the PRSOS would attempt to involve the public in the selection of next year’s award winners.

This year’s winners will be presented with their awards in a ceremony on November 5 at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Hotel, where PRSOS and media members, along with various dignitaries, are expected to attend.

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