JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 02, 2013
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: Nadia Naqi, current affairs anchor at NewsOne Television, has won the ICFJ Vaccine Reporting Contest, for her half-hour program called “Problems of Eradicating Polio from Pakistan.”
The contest, launched by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) together with the African Health Journalists Association and the Arab Media Forum, aims to stimulate coverage in Africa, Pakistan and the Gulf states on this key issue.
The New Venture Fund sponsored the initiative with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Winners earn a two-week study tour to the United States to explore in greater depth a variety of health issues, according to an ICFJ accouncement.
Nadia explores why Pakistan has failed to eliminate the disease, investigating negative perceptions by the public of the polio vaccination, security risks facing health workers giving vaccinations, and parental ignorance.
With a wide range of interviews, she identifies the hurdles and suggests ways to overcome them. The piece is particularly poignant because it starts and ends with moving stories of polio victims.
Other journalists winning the award are from Nigeria (Vivienne Irikefe), Ivory Coast (Suy Kahofi Jischvi), and UAE (Joanne Bladd).
In well-documented multimedia and broadcast reports, most spotlighted the challenges—and victories—in eliminating polio.
“The winners produced coverage that serves as lessons to all in how to conquer devastating yet preventable diseases such as polio,” said ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan. “They have done a major service to the public and health officials by surfacing hurdles and successes.”
Fourteen prominent international journalists chose the winners from more than 200 submissions. Among other criteria, the judges looked for in-depth reports that effectively used strong images and graphics, citizen voices and open data.
The winners will meet leading global health experts during their US study tour. Each will receive a $500 cash prize. Four second-place finalists also won $500 awards.
They are: Melaku Berhanu Tesfay (Ethiopia), Florence Naluyimba (Uganda), Arsla Jawaid (South Asia Magazine, Pakistan), and Hossam Mohammed Hagrass, Saudi Arabia).
A representative from the winning news organizations will be invited to attend ICFJ’s Awards Dinner on Nov. 7 in Washington, D.C. The annual event honors the achievements of colleagues whose outstanding news reports or media innovations have made a huge impact.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.