National Press Club-North West University Journalist of the Year awarded

The National Press Club-North West University Journalist of the Year 2009 is Joy Summers of Carte Blanche. She was also awarded as the Television – In depth features journalist of the year. The awards were made at the annual National Press Club Glenrand MIB Newsmaker of the Year function. National Press Club Chairperson Yusuf Abramjee said the National Press Club’s executive committee decided to re-introduce the awards and to secure a sponsorship so that they can encourage excellent journalism and communication and reward excellence. The winners in the other categories were in Graeme Hosken from Pretoria News in the Print News category; Theane Calitz from Beeld in the Photography category; Cathy Mohlalana from Talk Radio 702, Eyewitness News in the Radio News category; Liela Magnus from SABC in the Radio In depth features category; Megan Raubenheimer from e.tv in the Television Camera Person category. Adrian Lackey from SARS was awarded the Media Liaison Officer of the year. Members of the National Press Club nominated their favourite Media Liaison Officers. The executive committee choose the winner in this category. Abramjee said Adrian won because he is always available for media comment and very helpful towards the media. “We looked for someone with outstanding communication skills, accessibility, helpfulness and the like.” The entries were judged by a panel of various independents experts and academics. Pippa Green is Associate Professor and Head of the Journalism Department at the University of Pretoria. She is a member of the Nieman Selection Committee as well as the SABC board. She has been a journalist and a writer for the past 25 years. Gilbert Mokwatedi has 15 years of experience in radio journalism, journalism training – specialising in radio news and current affairs – media relations and corporate communications. He has worked for media organisations such as the South African Press Association and the South African Broadcasting Corporation.