“The shortlist honours some of the most groundbreaking reports"
The 2026 Asian Media Awards (AMA) finalists were announced on September 28 at the Film and TV Charity in London.
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 14th awards ceremony and the event will take place at the Manchester Deansgate Hotel on October 30, 2026.
The event has seen many familiar winners in the past, with the likes of Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Nina Wadia and Anita Rani winning awards.
The Asian Media Awards are supported by the University of Salford.
The 2026 ceremony will feature six special awards, including a new honour for music.
A spokesperson said: “We are delighted to be at the Film and TV Charity this year.
“The shortlist honours some of the most groundbreaking reports and investigations over the past year, as well as celebrating work in radio, stage, live events and creative media.
“It is always lovely to meet some of our finalists ahead of the main ceremony in Manchester in October.”
DESIblitz is also proud to be shortlisted for the ‘Best Blog/Website’ award.
Established in 2008 and a five-time 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 main 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 has also 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 main 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 based in the UK and South Asia, the publication’s content 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.
The Complete Shortlist for the Asian Media Awards 2026
Journalism
Journalist of the Year
Ashna Hurynag – Correspondent, ITN ITV News & Good Morning Britain
Sejal Karia – Correspondent, ITN ITV News
Haroon Siddique – Legal Affairs Correspondent, The Guardian
Hanisha Sethi – Reporter and Correspondent
Piriyanga Thirunimalan – Senior Reporter, The Daily Mail
Jabeen Waheed – Journalist & Reporter
Best Investigation
Exposed: China’s Spycam Porn – BBC Eye
Married at First Sight Investigation – Noor Nanji for BBC Panorama
Murder of Norwegian Student Martine Vik Magnussen – Piriyanga Thirunimalan for The Daily Mail
Stolen Lives: Who Gave Our Children HIV? – Ghazal Abbasi for BBC Eye & BBC World Service
The Truth About Asylum Hotels – Rahil Sheikh for BBC Panorama
Undercover In Britain’s Immigration Black Market – Shanti Das and Balagopal Balakrishnan for The Times
Regional Journalist of the Year
Anil Kumar Bharath – Journalist, BBC Yorkshire
Raj Kaur Bilkhu – Broadcast Journalist
Kumail Jaffer – Local Democracy Reporter, My London
Ravneet Nandra – Reporter, ITV Central
Rajiv Popat – Broadcast Journalist, ITV Central
Sharuna Sagar – Senior Journalist, BBC Look North
Outstanding Young Journalist
Aakifah Gani – Journalist & Reporter
Sarika Gandhi – Journalist, ITV News
Amrit Singh Mann – Journalist, Sky News
Aminah Rahman – Broadcaster & Presenter
Jasmine Sandhar – Journalist, BBC Newsbeat
Sports Journalist of the Year
Um-E-Aymen Babar – Sports Journalist, Sky Sports
Ayisha Gulati – Women’s Football Reporter, Hayters TV & Four Four Two
Amar Mehta – News Editor, Sky Sports
Aatif Nawaz – Journalist and Broadcaster
Aadam Patel – Correspondent, BBC Sport
Naz Premji – Sports Broadcaster, BBC Sport, BBC 5Live & The Premier League
Kal Sajad – Boxing Journalist, BBC Sport
Report of the Year
60 Years of South Asian Broadcasting at the BBC: What’s Changed? – Anil Kumar Bharath for BBC Yorkshire
Air India Crash, Sole Survivor Interview – Navtej Johal for BBC Midlands
Sky News Investigates UK’s Immigration System Lisa Holland & Amrit Singh Mann for Sky News
Stories of Colour – Sharuna Sagar for BBC Look North
Two Women Who Survived Abuse by Convicted Sex Offender – Sabah Choudhry for 5 News
Radio
Radio Presenter of the Year
Nadia Ali
Rena Annobil
Farzana Baduel
Raj Ghai
Hawa Kassam
Aaron Paul
Best Radio Show
Asian Network Trending – BBC Asian Network
Brasco on Brekkie – Lyca Radio
RadioWalli’s Rollercoaster – Lyca Radio
South Asian Community Show – BBC Various
The Ameet Channa Show – Sunrise Radio
The Breakfast Show with Paul Shah – Sunrise Radio
The Vallisa Show – BBC Asian Network
Radio Station of the Year
ACR Asian Community Radio
Asian Star Radio
Lyca Radio
Panjab Radio
Sunrise Radio
Sunrise Radio Yorkshire
TV
Best TV Character
Riz Ahmed as Shah Latif – Bait
Chris Bisson as Jai Sharma – Emmerdale
Tanisha Gorey as Asha Alahan – Coronation Street
Nabhaan Rizwan as Noa – Film Club
Rakhee Thakrar as Bel Richmond – Karen Pirie
Aaron Thiara as Ravi Gulati – EastEnders
Best Programme/Show
Bait – Left Handed Films for Prime Video
Saving Mum: Our Family Secret – Dancing Ledge Productions for Channel 4
Shabaz Asks: Are Billionaires Bad? – Hello Mary for BBC Three
The Rise of the Mixy – Ox-Boy Films
Vengeance: Murder on the Heath – Halcyon Heart Films for Channel 4
Marketing & PR
Creative Media Award
Asian Women Run – Minreet Kaur for Asian Women Run CIC
Commonwealth Symphony – Rekesh Chauhan BEM for The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust
Elephant Atta: From Home to Community – PR UK for Elephant Atta
Listen to Your Aunties Campaign – GottaBe! Marketing for DKMS UK
No Shame, Just Stories of Survival – Anisha Vasani Creates for The Fashion Brunch for International Women’s Day 2026
Media Agency of the Year
Curzon PR
Here&Now365
PR By Naz
PR UK
Live Productions
Best Stage Production
A Thousand Splendid Suns – By Ursula Rani Sarma. Based on the book by Khaled Hosseini; Originally co-produced by Birmingham Rep, Nottingham Playhouse and Leeds Playhouse.
Camdenwalla – Writer & Director, Jonny Khan, Associate Director & Producer Sam Edmunds.
Frankie Goes to Bollywood – Directed by: Pravesh Kumar, Associate Director: Ameet Chana Rifco Theatre Company & BEAM Hertford.
I Dream of Theresa May – Written by Vivek Nityananda, Directed by Natasha Kathi-Chandra. Tara Theatre.
Jerk Off – Written and Performed by Nadia P Manzoor.
Period Parrrty – By Gayathiri Kamalakanthan, Directed by Gitika Buttoo. Kali Theatre and Soho Theatre.
Planet Omar – Adapted by Asif Khan and directed by Sameena Hussain. Based on the work by Zanib Mian. A Production by Leeds Playhouse, in association with the Unicorn Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
Sweetmeats – Written by Karim Khan, Directed by Natasha Kathi-Chandra. Tara Theatre.
Outstanding Stage Performance
Amar Chadha-Patel as AK in Foal
Asif Khan as multiple characters in Porn Play
Nadia P Manzoor as multiple characters in Jerk Off
Ambika Mod as Ani in Porn Play
Rehan Sheikh as Liaquat in Sweetmeats
Mitesh Soni as Dennis in The Play That Goes Wrong
Sonya Venugopal as Surinder in Surinderella
Best Live Event
Arijit Singh Live at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – PR UK & TCO Group
Bradford City Mela – Royale Festivals CIC
Indian Army at the Palace Live – Historic Royal Palaces & Rifco Arts
Leeds Road Festival – The Leap
Sabri Sisters Live – Qawwali World
Print & Online
Best Blog/Website
A Rosie World
BizAsia Live
DESIblitz
Luxurist Magazine
Best Podcast
Beard Before Wicket
The Dad Project
The Shizzio Show
The Story Isn’t Over: History From The Margins
Tommy’s Brownload
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 30, 2026.
With an array of outstanding nominees, the 14th Asian Media Awards look set to be a success, celebrating the ongoing efforts of British Asians in the media industry.
Good luck to all the Asian Media Awards 2026 finalists!
