The Asian Media Awards 2023 Finalists

The 2023 Asian Media Awards (AMA) finalists were announced on September 18, 2023.

It recognises the work of journalists, writers, broadcasters and bloggers from across the UK.

The shortlist also highlights the contribution of media professionals in the creative and marketing industry.

It will be the 11th awards ceremony and the event will take place at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate on October 27, 2023.

The event has seen many familiar winners in the past. This includes Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Art Malik, Nina Wadia, Anita Rani, Shobna Gulati, Faisal Islam and Adil Ray.

The University of Salford are premier partners of the Asian Media Awards.

A spokesperson for the Asian Media Awards said:

“The awards have celebrated some outstanding work over the past decade and helped to shine a light on some brilliant individuals from all sections within the media industry.

“This year will be no different and we look forward to welcoming colleagues from across the country to the city of Manchester in October.”

DESIblitz is also proud to be shortlisted for the ‘Best Blog/Website’ award.

Established in 2008 and a four-time AMA winner for ‘Best Website/Publication’, the website has earned its publication status by growing tremendously with a large UK and international reach, especially in South Asia.

To reflect the diverse lifestyle content, the publication is organised in 10 prime categories. Namely, Arts & Culture, Brit-Asian, Fashion, Film & TV, Food, Health & Beauty, Music & Dance, Sport, Trends and Taboo. These categories then have further subcategories giving the visitor more granular choices.

With its strapline, News, Gossip and Gupshup, the website is not only a lifestyle publication but also has expanded into providing two sister websites to its audience. Namely:

• DESIblitz Jobs – which provides jobs from employers looking to enhance diversity in the workplace.
• DESIblitz Shop – which offers visitors Desi attire and products to purchase.

Whilst being an established publication in British Asian media, its prime aim has always been to develop young British Asian writers, journalists and content creators, thus, to produce high-quality editorial content with the input of a diverse team.

With a talented team of writers and journalists both in the UK and in South Asia, the content of the publication is produced with context, richness and locality in mind.

The platform has created opportunities in an industry which is hard to ‘get into’ and aims to continue to do so and grow the team, across the UK and internationally.

Managing Director Indi Deol said:

“I’m deeply humbled and thrilled that DESIblitz has been nominated for Best Blog/Website in the Print & Online category.

“From the very beginning, our mission has been to support and empower the British Asian community.

“We’ve strived to be a platform where voices, stories and experiences from our community can shine brightly. This nomination serves as a validation of our dedication to this cause.

“In an ever-evolving digital landscape, DESIblitz has been a constant advocate for representing the myriad facets of the British Asian identity.

“We’ve shared stories of triumphs and challenges, cultural celebrations, and thought-provoking insights.

“We’ve showcased the achievements of British Asians across various fields, from arts and culture to business and technology.

“Our commitment to providing a space for dialogue, cultural appreciation, and community engagement remains unwavering.

“We’ve aimed to bridge the gap between generations, connect individuals and foster a sense of belonging.

“This nomination is a recognition of our collective effort to support, inspire and uplift the online British Asian community.

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team, our contributors, and, most importantly, our readers and supporters who have made this journey possible.

“Your trust and engagement drive us to continually strive for excellence.

“We see this nomination not as an endpoint but as an affirmation of our responsibility to continue serving and supporting our community, fostering connection, understanding, and empowerment.”

The 2023 Asian Media Awards will see a few new honours given out.

One of those is a new ‘Diversity in Media’ Award, which aims to celebrate the work of an organisation and brand which has made a concerted and genuine effort to improve representation and produce diverse content at all levels.

It recognises the attempts to improve diversity at leadership and management levels, produce content and performances which are catered towards diverse audiences or make genuine efforts to train staff through specific scholarships or training towards all under-represented groups.

The Complete Shortlist for the Asian Media Awards 2023

Journalism

Journalist of the Year
Inderdeep Bains – Deputy Chief Reporter, Daily Mail
Rohit Kachroo – Global Security Editor, ITV News
Reha Kansara – Reporter, BBC News
Sangita Lal – Reporter, ITV News
Maryam Qaiser – Senior Journalist & Writer, Daily Mirror
Divya Talwar – Investigative Journalist, BBC News
Shehab Khan – Political Correspondent, ITV News
Darshna Soni – Communities Editor, Channel 4 News

Best Investigation
Health Inequalities – Andrew Gregory for The Guardian
Sri Lanka’s Tea Estates Investigation – Jeevan Ravindran for The Guardian
The Secret World of Trading Nudes – Monika Plaha, Ashni Lakhani and Nalini Sivathasan for BBC Panorama
Manipur Atrocities Revealed – ITN
Sexual Harassment in the Royal Navy – Daily Mail
The Shamima Begum Story – Joshua Baker for BBC Sounds
Snaptrap: Is Your Child Safe? – Charanpreet Khaira for BBC Wales

Regional Journalist of the Year
Lillie Almond – Reporter, LBC News
Kiran Sajan – Senior Reporter, Basingstoke Gazette
Sophia Seth – Reporter/Presenter/Producer, BBC South
Andrew Misra – Correspondent, ITV News Border
Raveena Ghattaura – Journalist, ITV Anglia
Mahatir Pasha – Reporter, ITV London
Rajiv Popat – Reporter, ITV Central

Sports Journalist of the Year
Shekhar Bhatia – Correspondent, Daily Mail
Isaan Khan – Reporter, Daily Mail
Aaron Paul – Presenter & Reporter, BBC 5 Live Sport
Sanny Rudravajhala – Freelance Sports Journalist
Kal Sajad – Boxing reporter, BBC Sport
Dev Trehan – Reporter & Presenter, Sky Sports

Outstanding Young Journalist
Um-E-Aymen Babar – Sports Journalist, Sky Sports
Saywah Mahmood – Data Journalist, Sky News
Amrit Singh Mann – Journalist, Sky News
Raheem Rashid – Journalist, ITV Central
Haleema Saheed – Community Reporter, Bradford Telegraph & Argus
Megan Samrai – Production Journalist, ITV Meridan
Fahad Rahman Tariq – Senior Reporter, Glasgow Live

Report of the Year
Kegworth Hotel – Reported by Darshana Soni for Channel 4 News
Heart and Soul: The Emerging Muslim Manosphere – Reported by Rahil Sheikh and Nalini Sivathasan for BBC World Service
Qawwali Music of the Soul – Reported by Raees Mahmood Khan for BBC World Service
Sidhu Moose Wala: Mystery Surrounds Killing of Punjabi Rapper a Year on – Reported by Ashna Hurynag for Sky News
The Murder of Fawziyah Javed – Reported by Yasminara Khan for BBC Newsnight
Windrush Repatriations – Reported by Navtej Johal for BBC News

Radio

Radio Presenter of the Year
Raj Baddhan
Sangita Myska
Paul Shah
Sunny and Shay
Yasser

Best Radio Show
The Drive Time Show with Sonia Dutta – Sunrise Radio
Gold Breakfast – Lyca Gold Radio
Lyca Breakfast – Lyca Radio
Mango Masala – Pie Radio
The Bhangra Showdown – Sunrise Radio

Radio Station of the Year
Asian FX
Awaaz FM
Lyca Radio
Sabras Radio
Sunrise Radio

TV

Best TV Character
Adam Hussain as Aadi Alahan – Coronation Street
Rebecca Sarker as Dr Manpreet Sharma – Emmerdale
Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati – EastEnders
Arsher Ali as Elder Samson – Everyone Else Burns
Arian Nik as Abdulla Khan – Count Abdulla

Best Programme/Show
Our World, Expelled from Uganda – BBC News
Count Abdulla – ITV
Humza: Forgiving the Unforgivable – BBC Three
Kaur – ITVX
The Hajj: A Journey Through Mecca – Shehab Khan for ITV News
Bend It Like Bollywood – BBC Three

TV Channel of the Year
Colors UK
Geo TV
Hum TV
Sony Entertainment Television
Utsav Plus

Print & Online

Best Blog/Website
Ananya Ampersand
Binny’s Food & Travel
BizAsiaLive
Continent Hop
DESIblitz.com
Hyphen Online

Best Podcast
Brown Gal Can’t Swim
Masala Podcast
Positive Solace with Attika Choudhary
Two Chickpeas in a Podcast
The Bainsainye Show

Marketing & PR

Creative Media Award
Alzheimer’s Society: ‘Changing Perceptions’ Campaign
Plus Size Campaign: Bold & Beautiful
Kohinoor Basmati ‘Heritage’ Campaign
Ramadan Lights UK

Media Agency of the Year
Curzon PR
Ethnic Reach
Fantasia Advertising
Oceanic Media

Live Productions

Best Stage Production
Bombay Superstar
Cinder’Aliya
Orpheus
Patel’s Millions
The Empress
The Father and the Assassin
The ‘P’ Word
Vitamin D

Outstanding Stage Performance
Waleed Akhtar as Bilal – The ‘P’ Word
Nisha Aaliya as Laila/Bhanumati – Bombay Superstar
Parle Patel as Jayesh Patel – Patel’s Millions
Nikhil Parmar as Zayan – Invisible
Damani Irfan as Patrick Star – The SpongeBob Musical
Nuwan Hugh Perera as Samwise Gamgee – The Lord of the Rings – The Musical
Blythe Jandoo as Louise – Gypsy

Best Live Event
London Eid Festival 2023
Open Iftar 2023
Request Line
The Offbeat Sari
Voice Of Legends UK Tour 2023

Special Awards

AMA Best Newcomer

Best Video Channel

Diversity in Media Award

The Sophiya Haque Services to British Television, Film & Theatre Award

Media Personality of the Year

Outstanding Contribution to Media Award

All winners are to be announced at the AMA ceremony on October 27, 2023.

With an array of outstanding nominees, the 11th Asian Media Awards looks set to be a success, celebrating the ongoing efforts of British Asians in the media industry.

Good luck to all the Asian Media Awards 2023 finalists!