SMG shines at Housing Ministry’s media excellence night, wins two awards

KUALA LUMPUR: Star Media Group (SMG) bag prizes at the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s media excellence night.

The event, which was held here on Friday (Nov 29), saw Star Media Group win two awards across eight categories.

For the Photojournalism award category, The Star’s Mohammad Azman Abdul Ghani took home third place for his piece titled “Smokey End”.

For the Online Video Award category, The Star’s executive producer Ian Lau Yan Fun, senior news producer Charanjeet Kaur, senior chief video editor Elaine Cheng, senior video editor Carl Lew Cheng Tek and senior chief videographer Juliana Fauzi took home the first prize.

They won first place for their video “KL Fire and Rescue Department all set to tackle floods with 21 divers on standby”.

Another winner of the night was Sinar Harian, who won the Social Media Content category and also secured runner-up positions in other categories.

First-place winners receive a RM3,000 cash prize, while second-and third-place winners take home RM2,000 and RM1,000, respectively, along with trophies and certificates of appreciation.

Bernama, Radio Televisyen Malaysia, and Sin Chew Daily won the Minister’s Special Award, with each taking home RM20,000, trophies, and certificates, respectively.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming says the media plays an invaluable role in shaping the nation.

He recognised the media’s contribution to nation-building and said the media can also construct public opinion and enhance awareness of current issues.

“In this context, the media also promotes unity and patriotism, contributing to economic and social development,” he said in his speech at the awards.

Some 231 nominations were received across 48 media agencies.