After individual awards for excellence in different categories for print, radio and TV, Awoko newspaper clinched the most prestigious award for the night of great decoration in Sierra Leone journalism to date.
Awoko newspaper the media house that captured the “All Works of Life” (AWOL) 2006 Best Media House of the Year took its equivalent, the “Certificate of Merit for Professionalism in Newspaper Journalism” in the country from the Independent Media Commission (IMC) at a splendid and affable awards night over the weekend at the Bank Complex in Kingtom, Freetown.
Amidst fanfare from the Prince of Wales School brass band and thunderous acclamation from guests that spelt endorsement, Awoko newspaper was called on stage to pick up the most esteemed award.
The commission pointed out that the Certificate of Merit for Professionalism honour bestowed by Awoko was primarily “for operating for well over five years and has never been brought to the IMC by the public with a complaint”.
Mr George Bennet, who presented the award, stated that it was very exemplary for Awoko to bag such an accolade given the landscape of journalism in the country where ethics and professionalism have been sinking.
He pointed out that the Complaints Committee received over 30 complaints from the public against various newspapers, TV stations and radio stations for libel and seditious libel.
Erudite personalities like Rod Mac Johnson, Gbanabom Hallowell, Arika Awuta Coker and Robin White of the BBC served as judges.
The award was sponsored by Celtel, one of the leading mobile companies in the country.
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