Indian Link Media Group has taken out two awards at this year’s NSW Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards (PMCAs).
Pawan Luthra and Rajni Anand Luthra’s report of a nationwide survey of voting intention within the Indian community in the lead up to this year’s Federal Election, brought home the award for Best Text Report. Youth writer Rhea L Nath was awarded Young Journalist of the Year.
Indian Link was also nominated in the categories of Best Audio Report and the Alan Knight Student Award for Iqra Saeed.
Indian Link’s election surveys are typically eagerly awaited, but this time round the large-scale exercise garnered particular attention. It gathered data on issues of concern impacting us as part of the wider mainstream, but also included issues specific to the community such as the effect of travel bans during the pandemic and whether Scott Morrison’s frequent ‘curry night’ posts on social media influenced voting decision in any way.
Findings broke the community barrier and were discussed on national broadcaster ABC’s Radio National, ABC Radio Sydney’s The Drive show, ABC TV’s The Drum (where host Julia Baird held up a copy for audiences to see) and was shared by The Guardian in their live daily election coverage.
Co-authors Pawan Luthra and Rajni Anand Luthra were not at the event to receive the award themselves, but Pawan said after the event, “I’m quite proud of the work. As part of our entire election coverage spanning three months, this piece informed as well as mobilised public opinion, both within our own community and those watching us from the outside. I’m grateful that its contributions to understanding an emerging community were recognised.”
For Rhea L Nath, the Young Journalist of the Year Award is an outstanding achievement so early in her career.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be able to say that I’ve won this award after just three years here in Australia,” she said.
“I started my career here in March 2020 as an international student, right when the pandemic hit, and it gave me the chance to witness first-hand the important role that multicultural media plays every single day. From the get-go, I was reporting on community issues and challenges, and an area that was particularly important and relevant to me: international students. At the same time, I wasn’t always seeing these stories reflected in the mainstream media when I picked up a newspaper or scrolled through my social media.”
Indian Link editor Rajni Anand Luthra said, “It’s gratifying to see the manner in which Rhea has blossomed ever since she joined us almost three years ago. She’s not only a skilful writer with a wonderful way with words, but she also has a great ability to sense a story and follow it through. With her sharp mind, great ability to pick up new skills, and enthusiastic and committed work ethic, I have no doubts Rhea will go far. Pawan and I are both thrilled to see her receive this latest award.”
Rhea’s work this year has been wide-ranging, from advocacy for disability and mental health to arts, entertainment, and international student issues. Her consistent reportage on that last topic, the special challenges faced by international students during the pandemic, has given the student community much succour and support – they continue to contact her with queries and stories. It was this work that won her the Alan Knight Student Award at the PMCAs last year.
With the two awards this year, Indian Link’s tally of multicultural media awards ever since the awards were first instituted 10 years ago, is now 25.
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