"Speechless doesn’t quite cut it I really am shocked."
The 2026 Asian Media Awards (AMAs) were held on October 30.
The 14th annual event took place at the Manchester Deansgate Hotel, honouring the work of journalists, writers, broadcasters and bloggers from across the UK.
The University of Salford were the event’s premier sponsor, and Sky Sports’ Bela Shah was the host.
With an exciting evening filled with the who’s who from British South Asian media, the 2026 AMAs gave recognition for the hard work and efforts of the nominees for the awards.
The awards were given across a number of key categories that demonstrated the value and importance of Asian media in the UK.
ITV News Correspondent Sejal Karia was named Journalist of the Year.
In her acceptance speech, she said: “Speechless doesn’t quite cut it I really am shocked.
“It is a huge privilege to be here in front of such esteemed company and alongside the most amazing journalists.
“I really want to dedicate this award to my mum.
“Thirty years ago as an Asian woman starting out, I struggled to find heroes with faces like mine doing this job.
“There is so much further to go but I look around this room and see how far we have come as a community.”
Pritpal Kaur, the oldest South Asian woman to run the London Marathon, was surprised with an award for her efforts to inspire more women into fitness and well-being.
Alien Kulture, the first Asian punk band, was honoured with the new AMA Pioneers in Music Award.
On stage, band member Pervez Bilgrami said:
“Our aim was two-fold to speak about second-generation Asians and counter the narrative that Asians are meek and mild and never fight back.
“We sang about songs that other people didn’t sing about.”
“Cultural identity, arranged marriage, immigration law and the empire.”
Best Live Event went to Historic Royal Palaces and Rifco Arts for Indian Army at the Palace Live, with the award presented by Jess O’Leary of The Manchester Deansgate Hotel.
The Full List of Winners
Journalist of the Year
Sejal Karia – Correspondent, ITN ITV News
Best Investigation
Stolen Lives: Who Gave Our Children HIV? – Ghazal Abbasi for BBC Eye & BBC World Service
Regional Journalist of the Year
Ravneet Nandra – Reporter, ITV Central
Outstanding Young Journalist
Jasmine Sandhar – Journalist, BBC Newsbeat
Sports Journalist of the Year
Aadam Patel – Correspondent, BBC Sport
Report of the Year
Stories of Colour – Sharuna Sagar for BBC Look North
Radio Presenter of the Year
Aaron Paul
Best Radio Show
Asian Network Trending – BBC Asian Network
Radio Station of the Year
Lyca Radio
Best TV Character
Riz Ahmed as Shah Latif – Bait
Best Programme/Show
Vengeance: Murder on the Heath – Halcyon Heart Films for Channel 4
Creative Media Award
No Shame, Just Stories of Survival – Anisha Vasani Creates for The Fashion Brunch for International Women’s Day 2026
Media Agency of the Year
Here&Now365
Best Stage Production
Period Parrrty – By Gayathiri Kamalakanthan, Directed by Gitika Buttoo. Kali Theatre and Soho Theatre.
Outstanding Stage Performance
Nadia P Manzoor as multiple characters in Jerk Off!
Best Live Event
Indian Army at the Palace Live – Historic Royal Palaces & Rifco Arts
Best Blog/Website
A Rosie World
Best Podcast
The Dad Project
Pioneers in Music
Alien Kulture
Best Newcomer
Mia Tharia
Diversity In Media Award
Jessica Schibli, BBC Head of Creative Diversity
The Sophiya Haque Services to British Television, Film & Theatre Award
Shobu Kapoor
Media Personality of the Year
Sonia Sodha
Outstanding Contribution to Media Award
Pedro Carvalho
The Asian Media Awards highlight the importance of Asian media within the UK and the role it plays in bringing ethnic communities and the mainstream media together.
The winners prove that the Asian Media Awards can only get bigger and better. Congratulations to all of the winners.
