Madhyamam Journalism Awards and Honors
The Madhyamam team has established a distinguished reputation for excellence in journalism, earning numerous national and international accolades. The publication is particularly recognized for its commitment to reporting on agriculture, rural development, and human rights, bringing critical social issues to the forefront of public discourse.
Key Facts
- International Recognition: Awards from the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) and the ESR World Journalism Prize.
- National Excellence: Multiple wins including the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award.
- Human Rights Focus: Significant recognition from the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).
- State Honors: Numerous Ambedkar Media Awards from the Government of Kerala for reporting on marginalized communities.
- Specialized Reporting: High acclaim for rural reporting, investigative pieces on illegal trades, and Dalit rights.
International Honors
Madhyamam's impact extends beyond national borders, with journalists receiving global recognition for their courage and design innovation. Savad Rahman, a sub-editor, was named Development Journalist of the Year at the Developing Asia Journalism Awards (DAJA), sponsored by the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), for his reporting on women trapped in Mumbai's brothels.
Rahman's versatility is further evidenced by his Diversity and Equal Opportunity special prize at the 2007 ESR World Journalism Prize for his feature on Dalit activist Bant Singh. Additionally, the publication's visual excellence was recognized with a silver medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics print design competition conducted by newspaperdesign.in.
National Awards and Fellowships
At the national level, Madhyamam has been lauded for its rigorous investigative work. P.K. Prakash, a senior staff reporter, received the 23rd "Journalism for Human Rights" award from the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) in 2003. His award-winning work covered critical issues including the Adivasi land disputes in Muthanga, illegal kidney trafficking in Kerala, prisoner torture at Aluva Sub-jail, and illegal medical experiments on infants in Kochi.
Prakash further distinguished himself with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2007–2008) and the first prize for Best Rural Reporting from The Statesman in 2007. His series "Choothattam Thudarunna vipani" analyzed the effects of globalisation (the process of international integration arising from the interchange of world views, products, and ideas) on rural India, while "Bhoomiyude jaathi" examined land reform impacts on the Dalit population. He also received a Rs. 100,000 grant via the 12th National Media Fellowship from the National Foundation for India to study Adivasis within the Kerala model of development.
MJ Babu, a senior reporter, has twice won The Statesman Award for Best Rural Reporting (1998 and 2008). His 2008 winning series, "Pattanam gramathodu cheyyunnath," exposed the environmental degradation of the Canoli canal and Chakkamkandam Lake in Guruvayoor, highlighting how urban waste pollution destroyed local paddy cultivation.
State Government and Institutional Recognition
The Government of Kerala has frequently honored Madhyamam journalists for their focus on social equity. P.K. Prakash received the Ambedkar Media Award in 2004 and 2007 for his reports on kidney trade and Dalit land reforms. Jisha Elizabeth won the same award in 2009 for her series on a tribal colony's integration into mainstream society.
NS Nisar, Chief Sub Editor at madhyamam.com, was honored with the BR Ambedkar Award in 2016 for his reports on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In the realm of visual and cultural reporting, Razak Thazhathangadi won the 2003 State Media Award for news photography, and N P Jishar received awards from the Department of Culture and Department of Education for his coverage of the International Film Festival of Kerala and the state school Kalolsavam in 2010.
Press Club and Academy Awards
Various regional press bodies have recognized the team's contributions:
- Akbarali Puthunagaram: Theruvath Raman Award 2006 for reporting on medical exploitation.
- T P Cheruppa: Kambissery Memorial Journalism Award (2006) and the Calicut Press Club award (2007) for his editorials.
- G Prajesh Sen: Recognized by the Calicut Press Club (2008), the R. Krishnaswamy Journalism Award (2009), and the V. Karunakaran Nambiar Award (2009).
- N P Jishar: Chowwara Parameswran award (2008) for reporting on clay mining in agricultural fields.
- MJ Babu: Recipient of the Dr Moorkkannoor Narayanan Award, Oorja Kerala Award, and the Farm Journalism Award.
Summary of Major Honors
| Journalist | Award Name | Focus Area | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savad Rahman | DAJA (ADBI) | Women's Rights / Development | Various |
| P.K. Prakash | Ramnath Goenka Award | Regional Language Journalism | 2007-08 |
| P.K. Prakash | PUCL Award | Human Rights | 2003 |
| MJ Babu | The Statesman Award | Rural Reporting | 1998, 2008 |
| NS Nisar | BR Ambedkar Award | SC/ST Reporting | 2016 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which international organization recognized Madhyamam's development journalism?
The Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) recognized the publication through the Developing Asia Journalism Awards (DAJA), specifically honoring sub-editor Savad Rahman.
What specific social issues did P.K. Prakash cover to win the PUCL award?
He reported on the Adivasi land issue in Muthanga, the illegal kidney trade in Kerala, prisoner torture at Aluva Sub-jail, and illegal viagra experiments on infants at a private hospital in Kochi.
What was the focus of MJ Babu's award-winning 2008 series?
His series "Pattanam gramathodu cheyyunnath" focused on the pollution of the Canoli canal and Chakkamkandam Lake in Guruvayoor, detailing how urban waste affected local health and paddy cultivation.
Which awards are specifically dedicated to reporting on marginalized castes and tribes?
The Ambedkar Media Award and the BR Ambedkar Award, both instituted by the Government of Kerala, were awarded to journalists like P.K. Prakash, Jisha Elizabeth, and NS Nisar for their work on Dalit and tribal issues.
Did Madhyamam receive any awards for visual arts or design?
Yes, the team won a silver medal in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics print design competition, and photographer Razak Thazhathangadi won the State Media Award 2003 for news photography.