Ace investigative reporter, Anas Aremeyaw Anas; has picked up another international award for ‘Engaged Journalism’ presented to him by the May Chidiac Foundation (MCF) in Beirut Lebanon.

Also honored at the event was Chief International correspondent with CNN, Christine Amanpour, who was decorated with the ‘Antoine Choueiri Special Tribune for Lifetime Achievement’ award.

Anas and fellow awardees were presented with their awards by Lebanese ministers of Labor and Tourism, Sejaan Azzi and Michel Pharoan during an event at the plush O1NE Beirut Marina Waterfront.

The ‘Engaged Journalism’ award in the First Prize Category by the MCF is to honor journalists who have committed themselves to the issues of their writings and have dedicated their bids to serve. Anas was adjudged joint winner of the award with Dalia Al Aqidi, a political talk show host at Hona Baghdad. 

Anas in his acceptance speech stated that the award should spur other journalists on, to do effective and hard hitting journalism which would inure to the greater good of society. Adding that the award was more an inspiration to do more, than a recognition. 

For her part, Amanpour who is the former global affairs anchor at ABC News and present host of CNN International’s nightly interview program “Amanpour” spoke about the impact of video in ensuring impartial journalism and championing the cause of freedom of speech. 

“… without impartiality, without objectivity, without actually telling the truth, we simply then can risk fanning the flame of politics and ideology and differences,” she emphasized. 

The award handler who presented Anas’s award was Madam Veronique Richard who has served as Dean of the Graduate School of Journalism and Communications (CELSA) of the Sorbonne University since 2004 before taking the post of dean having served as associate dean for a decade.

 In the second prize category labeled ‘Courage in Journalism,’ dedicated to honour journalists who have demonstrated great courage during assuming duties; Nicolas Henin and Baker Atyani of Le Point and Al Arabiya respectively; were both awarded.

Foreign Correspondent at NBC News, Ayman Mohyeldin; was also presented with an award for “Outstanding Audiovisual Performance.”

Dr. May Chidiac on her part said; “We are always determined to raise the banner of courage and freedom of expression and opinion as they are the guarantees of democracy and of the establishment of the country we dream of.”

She also expressed the MCF’s gratitude to persons and institutions that have supported them over the years in producing the new generation of journalists attached to professional ethics and highly proficient in the use of means of communication.

The event presented a medley of political, media, banking, economic and artistic figures, including the wife of the Lebanese PM, HE lama Salam, ministers of state, ambassadors and other foreign diplomats.

The May Chidiac Foundation – Media Institute is a non-profit making organization aimed at bridging the gap between academic studies and the requirements of the labor market, through a series of training programs empowering new graduates and enhancing the abilities of professional journalists.