News Room scores multiple wins at Caribbean Broadcasting Union Awards

A team of experienced journalists and videographers of the News Room Tuesday night scored multiple wins at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s annual awards, which was held in Belize this year.

Journalist Neil Marks and videographer Yusuf Ali won Best News Story on Poverty Reduction & Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups (Digital), an award sponsored by the Caribbean Development Bank Basic Needs Trust Fund. The story, “The Women Running Forestry Operations in Guyana”, focused on women-led forestry operations at Coomacka and Maria Elizabeth/Three Friends in Region 10.

Mr Marks and videographer Shatanand Anude won the Best TV Production on Land Degradation Neutrality award, sponsored by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management. The winning story, “Why is Guyana Spending Big To Replant Patches In Its Forest?” focused on land restoration and replanting at mined out areas in Region Ten.

Mr Marks and Mr Anude also won the award for Best Climate Change Investigative Report (Digital), sponsored by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. Their story, “Money From Trees: Amerindian Chiefs Say Rights not Violated” focused on the earnings Guyana is receiving from the sale of carbon credits and how the funds are being used to support indigenous communities with their consent and input.

Vishani Ragobeer and videographer Shaconeil Burnette won the Best Climate Change Investigative Report (TV), sponsored by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. Their story, “Washed Away: People Who Help Protect the Turtles Are Losing Their Home”, focused on how rising sea levels have led to the displacement of the residents of Almond Beach in the North West District.

Under the theme awards (Digital), a special mention went to Ms Ragobeer for her story “Guyana’s Carbon Credits Deal”.

In the “Best Videographer” category, Mr Burnette received a special mention.

The News Room, established in 2016, commands an unparalleled broadcast reach throughout Guyana, encompassing the entire coastland, though the 7 p.m. news broadcast on Enet Channel 1, SKAR TV 46/102, NTN, Tarzee TV in Bartica and stations on the Essequibo Coast. In addition, thanks to the broadcast on Enet Channel 1, the News Room is the only evening news programme that reaches communities in the country’s interior regions, whether mountainous, savannah or riverine.

The News Room’s digital footprint is equally formidable, boasting a colossal following of over 500,000, a figure that eclipses all competitors.