Astro AWANI's 'Dangers of Blast Fishing' wins 2013 Malaysian Journalism Award

Astro AWANI reporter Tan Su Lin and videographer Hairul Wildan bagged the Best News Video award at the MPI-Petronas Malaysian Journalism Awards 2013 on Friday for their special report entitled ‘Kerakusan Bom Ikan’ or ‘The Dangers of Blast Fishing’.

The special report, aired on Astro AWANI on November 16 and 18 last year, beat two other nominees in the category, namely ntv7’s ‘Bukit Bintang overcome by Arabs’ and BERNAMA TV’s ‘Dassault Aviation’.

Both Tan Su Lin and Hairul Wildan took home RM7,500 each for their efforts.

This is not the first time Tan Su Lin has shone with her special reports. In 2013 she bagged the SUHAKAM Human Rights Award for her piece on ‘The conflicts surrounding Orang Asli land rights’ and the 2013 Greentech Award for her report on ‘Rainwater catchment systems’.

The awards ceremony on Friday was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who praised the journalists for their intensive coverage on the MH370 tragedy from the day the plane disappeared from the skies on March 8, 2014.

“Responsible journalism is meant to protect the country and not destroy it. The latest news reports on flight MH370 by local and foreign journalists had more intrigue, were more mysterious and complicated,” Muhyiddin said.

Muhyiddin also said that journalists were required to carry out their duties professionally and to uphold national interests.

“Journalism ethics should not change even in a world of new technological enhancements with various forms of media,” he added.

The Malaysian Press Night 2014, organised by the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) and Petronas was held at the One World Hotel in Petaling Jaya, Selangor on Friday.