We're going to need a bigger shelf…

Indian Link scoops media awards with 3 wins at 2014 Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards

 
The Indian Link Media Group has won yet another three awards at the 2014 Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards held at Doltone House in Sydney on 13 February, 2014. They took home the Best Print Report of the Year, Best Use of Online & Digital Media and Young Journalist of the Year: Ritam Mitra.
The Sydney-based Indian media group was nominated in eight of the 12 categories. In one category, Best Print Report, all three finalists came from Indian Link.
The awards were judged by an independent panel of academic and working media experts, with some categories varying from last year.
Pawan Luthra, CEO of Indian Link said he was proud of the ongoing recognition that the media group has received, from within the community as well as from the mainstream.
“To claim three awards yet again this year, reveals not only our dedication but also the high standards we set ourselves,” said Luthra. “I congratulate my team for their talent and their efforts”.
After this awards night, Indian Link has now become the most awarded multicultural media group in Australia.
The event was opened by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, who said the growth of the State’s ethnic media reflects NSW’s status as one of the most multicultural societies in the world.
“I was impressed to see more than 110 entries were received for the 13 categories covering print, radio, TV and online media in this year’s awards, which are in their second year,” said Premier O’Farrell. He also commented on the trend within the multicultural community which is seeing its media expand as compared to the mainstream where it is contracting.
The Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards are one of the feature events of Multicultural March, a celebration of what the State calls one of its greatest assets, its cultural diversity.
“Congratulations to Indian Link, with the fortnightly publication taking out Best Print Reporter, Pawan Luthra, Best Young Journalist, Ritam Mitra, and the category of Best Use of Online and Digital Media,” Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello said after his moving speech.
“The awards proudly recognise the role multicultural media plays in promoting NSW to audiences around the world,” he furthered.
Dominello’s speech in which he urged the gathered multicultural media to put the spotlight on the unacceptable treatment of girls and women erupted into a loud applause. He implored the multicultural media gathered to continue tackle the “tough issues”.
“We would like to congratulate the other media organisations that won or were nominated on the night,” Indian Link Editor Rajni Anand Luthra said. “We also acknowledge the Government of NSW in providing a platform such as the Multicultural Media Awards to showcase our talents and efforts”.
Pawan Luthra added, “At Indian Link, we like to call ourselves ‘observers of the trends in Australia’s Indian community’. Our clear grasp of issues in the community for 20 years now has earned us much respect not only within the community but in the mainstream as well. We pride ourselves on our quality of content, our design, as well as regularity of production. Our core team of 10 staff members, and some 70-odd contributors across the country, work very hard to see that a quality publication goes out every fortnight, even as we struggle with the drastic upheaval that our industry is going through”.
The company produces two fortnightly publications for its Sydney audience, and monthlies for Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. On the airwaves, it brings audiences together through Indian Link Radio. This was launched 11 years ago on a ‘pay-radio’ format for listeners in Sydney and Melbourne only but is now accessible ‘round the world round the clock’ via a downloadable smartphone app as well as online streaming. Online, the company’s presence encompasses an interactive website, fortnightly e-newsletters that reaches the targeted audience directly, a busy Facebook page, and regular Twitter feeds.
 
 
The awards
 
1. Best Print Report of the Year
2013 Federal Election: An Indian community poll
Pawan Luthra’s piece on the analysis of an Indian Link election survey, conducted in the lead up to the last federal elections, was a clear and concise report on the issues which matter to the Indian community, and their perceptions of which political party would best fulfil their needs. No doubt it helped the undecided voters in the community to make their final electoral decision.
“Our pre-election surveys are conducted objectively and provide valuable insight into the manner in which the community is thinking,” Pawan said. “This is particularly important as large sections of our community’s voters live in marginal seat areas. It turned out, we were right on target. In fact, this was the third time in a row that our pre-election poll was right on target”.
2. Best Use of Online & Digital Media
www.indianlink.com.au
Always a step ahead, Indian Link has been on the cutting edge of technology since its birth. The stylish website is now available across all platforms, including smartphones for ‘news on the go’ and links the latest news to their 24/7 digital radio station, and integrates their social media output.
“By creating a highly effective digital strategy, the Indian Link Media Group has been able to stay up-to-date with the latest digital trends,” says Lena Peacock of Indian Link. “We don’t just create content for users, we also engage and listen to them in order to continue our media group’s innovative use of the latest technology”.
 
3. Young Journalist of the Year: Ritam Mitra
The Young Journalist of the Year Ritam Mitra, is a perfect example of the mentoring that Indian Link does for young writers.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting to win, and it was an honour simply to be shortlisted for the award,” says Ritam of his award. “The other nominees were of very high calibre”.
Ritam was 17 when he first began to contribute to Indian Link. Today, at 21, finishing a law degree at uni and working for a leading Sydney law firm, he is one of the most prolific writers on our team.
“Indian Link has given me a wide range of opportunities, which I’m extremely grateful for,” says Mitra.Ritam’s earliest writings were on youth issues and his great passion sport, but his body of work now includes pieces on politics, science, technology, media, new media, government policy, assimilation, even on Indian traditions as he sees them through his Australia-raised eyes.
“The Young Journalist award was the last award presented on the night, and it was a new category – so there was a fair bit of anticipation around it,” recalls Mitra of the award night. “I’d spent most of the night enjoying the speeches, cultural performances, and celebrating the Indian Link team’s win in two other categories, so I didn’t think too much about the award, as I knew there were some very impressive nominees who deserved the honour. From the moment my name was called up, everything became a bit of a blur. It was a big surprise and a very humbling moment. “But it was a moment I’ll never forget and an award I’ll hold very dearly to me”.
 
The Indian Link Media Group is no stranger to winning awards. Just last year at the inaugural Premier’s Multicultural Media Award 2013, Indian Link also won three awards: Best News Report, Best Online Publication of the Year and Best Image of the Year. In addition to this, Indian Link also took out two awards at the 2013 Parliament of NSW Multicultural Media Awards, three awards at the 2012 Parliament of NSW Multicultural Media and the 2011 NSW Premier’s Harmony Award.
This multi-media just might have to buy a new shelf to display all of the awards won.