The Asian Media Awards 2024 Finalists

The 2024 Asian Media Awards (AMA) finalists were announced on September 16, 2024.

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 12th awards ceremony and the event will take place at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate on October 25, 2024.

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 the premier partners of the Asian Media Awards.

AMA panel member Sanjay Shabi said: “EssenceMediacom are proud to host the shortlist announcement of the Asian Media Awards 2024 in its Holborn offices.

“Ever since its launch in 2013, EssenceMediacom (formerly MediaCom) has long supported the pivotal role these esteemed awards play in celebrating the rich diversity of the UK’s media landscape.

“The awards shine a spotlight on the exceptional talent within the South Asian media community, from journalists and content creators, to broadcasters and producers, invaluably reflecting the multicultural tapestry of Britain’s modern media marketplace.”

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 into 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 visitors 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, producing 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 am truly honoured and excited that DESIblitz has been shortlisted for the Best Website Award in 2024.

“Being recognised once again reaffirms our ongoing commitment to amplifying the voices and stories of the British Asian community.

“Since our inception, our mission has been to not only inform but to inspire, represent, and empower.”

“We’ve worked tirelessly to provide a platform where British Asians can see their stories reflected, their achievements celebrated, and their challenges voiced.

“In a fast-changing digital world, DESIblitz remains a constant advocate for showcasing the richness and diversity of British Asian culture across all fields – whether in arts, food, sports, or film.

“This shortlisting is a testament to the hard work of our team, the invaluable contributions of our writers, and the loyal support of our readers. Together, we have built something truly special, and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far.

“But we’re not done yet. This recognition motivates us to continue our work, pushing boundaries and creating even more opportunities to uplift and connect our community.

“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey – we look forward to what lies ahead.”

The Complete Shortlist for the Asian Media Awards 2024

Journalism

Journalist of the Year
Anushka Asthana – Deputy Political Editor, ITV News
Sadiya Chowdhury – Correspondent, Sky News
Ashish Joshi – Health Correspondent, Sky News
Sejal Karia – Home Affairs Correspondent, ITN
Dr Manisha Ganguly – Visual Forensics Lead & Investigations Correspondent, The Guardian
Noor Nanji – Culture Reporter, BBC News

Best Investigation
Care Workers Under Pressure – Balakrishnan Balagopal for BBC Panorama
McDonald’s Workers – Noor Nanji for BBC News
People smugglers in Pakistan – Reha Kansara for BBC News
Undercover Inside Reform’s Campaign – Channel 4 News Investigations Unit and reported by Darshna Soni for Channel 4 News
Evacuation of critically ill children in Gaza – Produced by Roohi Hasan for ITV News
Sudiksha: ‘Condemned to Die in Secret’ – Inderdeep Bains for The Daily Mail

Regional Journalist of the Year
Shehnaz Khan – Journalist, BBC West Midlands
Ushma Mistry – Broadcast Journalist, BBC CWR
Ravneet Nandra – Reporter, ITV News Anglia & ITV News Central
Mahatir Pasha – Reporter, BBC London
Rajiv Popat – Reporter, ITV News Central
Sophia Seth – Reporter, BBC South

Outstanding Young Journalist
Saywah Mahmood – Data Journalist, Sky News
Amrit Singh Mann – Journalist, Sky News
Harshini Mehta – Assistant Producer, Sky Sports
Aadam Patel – Sports Journalist & Content Creator for Mail Sport
Megan Samrai – Production Journalist, ITV Meridian
Piriyanga Thirunimalan – Senior News Reporter, Daily Mail Online

Sports Journalist of the Year
Amar Mehta – Deputy News Editor, Sky Sports News
Nikesh Rughani – Cricket & Football Correspondent
Kal Sajad – Boxing Reporter, BBC Sport
Miriam Walker-Khan – Diversity & Inclusion Reporter, Sky Sports News
Naz Premji – Cricket & Football Commentator/Presenter
Dev Trehan – Journalist, Sky Sports

Report of the Year
British Sikh Activist Fears for Life After Being Named on Indian ‘Hit List’ – Tom Cheshire, Amrit Singh Mann and Maz Poynter for Sky News
Culture Crisis in West Midlands Police – Darshna Soni for Channel 4 News
Disabled Scuba Diving Duo – Mohammed Salim Patel for BBC North West
The Spy Princess – Produced by Derek Johnson and reported by Sangeeta Bhabra  for ITV News Meridian
Radioactive Chapatis – Ushma Mistry/Kevin Reide/David Gregory-Kumar/Susie Rack/Shehnaz Khan for BBC CWR/Midlands Today/BBC West Midlands Online
Riots and Fear. The Impact of the Violence on the UK’s Ethnic Minority Communities – Shehab Khan for ITV News

Radio

Radio Presenter of the Year
Asad Ahmad
Raj Baddhan
Vallisa Chauhan
Rupa Mooker

Best Radio Show
Brasco on Brekkie – Lyca Radio
Radiowalli’s Rollercoaster – Lyca Radio
The Breakfast Show with Paul Shah – Sunrise Radio
The Shruti Show – BBC Radio Leicester, BBC Nottingham & BBC Derby
Rena Annobil – BBC Local Radio (Various)

Radio Station of the Year
Awaaz FM
Asian Star Radio
Lyca Radio
Panjab Radio
Sunrise Radio

TV

Best TV Character
Jimmi Harkishin as Dev Alahan – Coronation Street
Navin Chowdhry for Nish Panesar – EastEnders
Chris Bisson as Jai Sharma – Emmerdale
Mawaan Rizwan as Jamma – Juice
Banita Sandhu as Miss Malhotra – Bridgerton

Best Programme/Show
Defiance: Fighting the Far Right – Rogan Productions for Channel 4
Football’s Hidden Talent – Sky Sports
Ramadan: A Journey Across Britain – ITV News (ITN) for ITV1, ITVX
Stranger in My Family – Sunny Kang/Nine Lives Media For BBC Three
The Bradford Aunties – ClockWork Films For BBC Three
The Push: Murder on the Cliff – Candour Productions for Channel 4

TV Channel of the Year
ARY Digital
Geo TV
Sony Entertainment Television
Ustav Plus

Marketing & PR

Creative Media Award
Ramadan Campaign – Islamic Relief
Soho Theatre India – Soho Theatre
ArtOfTheDetail Sobha Realty X Arsenal – Ethnic Reach
Women Warriors – Anisha Vasani Creates

Media Agency of the Year
Curzon PR
House of Advertising
Media House Global
Ethnic Reach
Podlounge

Live Productions

Best Stage Productions
Frankie Goes To Bollywood – A Rifco Theatre Company, Watford Palace Theatre and HOME Manchester co-production. Directed by Pravesh Kumar.
Blue Mist – Royal Court Theatre. By Mohamed-Zain Dada.
Great Expectations – Tamasha Theatre Company. Adapted by Tanika Gupta. Directed by Pooja Ghai.
Mrs Kapoor’s Daughter’s Wedding 2 Mauritius – AK Productions. By Archana Kumar.
Silence – Tara Theatre.
Passing – Want the Moon Theatre. Written and & produced by Dan Sareen; Directed by, Imy Wyatt Corner.
The Accountants – Factory International. Choreographed by the masterful Xie Xin, Terence Lewis, Mahrukh Dumasia.
Testmatch – An Octagon Theatre Bolton, Orange Tree Theatre & English Theatre co-production
By Kate Attwell; Directed by Diane Page.

Outstanding Stage Performance
Amy Leigh Hickman as Rachel in Passing
Laila Zaidi as Frankie in Frankie Goes to Bollywood
Lucca Chadwick-Patel in My Beautiful Laundrette
Rakesh Boury for Mr Wormswood in Matilda the Musical
Nadia Nadarajah as Cleopatra for Antony and Cleopatra at The Globe
Hiran Abeysekara as Nathuram Godse in The Father and the Assassin

Best Live Event
Going South Festival
Pali and Jay’s Ultimate Asian Wedding DJ Roadshow
Pioneers: A Renaissance in South Asian Creativity
Tribe Talks: Partition @ 75
World Halal Food Festival 2023

Print & Online

Best Blog/Website
BizAsiaLive.com
DESIblitz.com
FemAsiaMagazine.com
Nanak Naam
The Curious Pixie

Best Podcast
A Muslim & A Jew Go There
Cancer – Taboos and Stigmas
Empire
Mission Curry
The Mixed Grill

Special Awards

Best Video Channel
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

Best Newcomer
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

Diversity In Media Award
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

The Sophiya Haque Services to British Television, Film & Theatre Award
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

Media Personality of the Year
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

Outstanding Contribution to Media Award
Winner to be announced at the AMA ceremony

All winners are to be announced at the AMA ceremony on October 25, 2024.

With an array of outstanding nominees, the 12th 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 2024 finalists!