Journalism Excellence Competition award winners feted

MUSCAT, JUNE 23
Omani journalists, artistes and other media professionals were recognised for their excellence in their chosen fields at an event held under the auspices of Dr Mahad bin Said Baowain, Minister of Labour, and attended by Dr Abdullah bin Nasser al Harrasi, Minister of Information, and a number of honourees and Their Excellencies at a ceremony held at the Oman Journalists Association in Airport Heights on Monday.
Oman Arabic Daily, sister concern of Oman Observer Daily, bagged 8 awards in various categories of journalism as the young journalists made their presence felt at the 2025-2026 Journalism Excellence Competition.
Ghalia bint Saleh al Thakhri won first place in the field of investigative journalism for her report on 'Bullying in classrooms', while second place went to Yousef bin Salem al Habsi, and third place went to Mei bint Habib al Ghadani.
Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak al Araimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oman Journalists Association, stressed that 'The Journalism and Media Excellence Awards represent an important milestone to celebrate professional creativity and honour journalists and media professionals who have presented distinguished works that have contributed to enriching the Omani press and media scene.'
The works that were submitted for awards varied in their fields to include written and digital journalism, journalistic investigations, specialised reports, photojournalism, media production, in addition to economic, social, cultural and environmental content.
Dr Al Araimi added, “These journalism proficiency awards come in light of the rapid transformations witnessed by the media and communication industry globally with the diversity of platforms, the multiplicity of information sources and the acceleration of events. The ability of Omani journalists to keep pace with professional and technical developments and provide honourable models based on credibility, objectivity and commitment to professional ethics are laudable.'
He emphasised, “adding that those awards were not limited to honouring the winners, but also reflect the belief in the importance of journalism and media as a national and humanitarian message, pointing out that supporting national media competencies represents a real investment in the future of the profession.”
In the newspaper article competition, Samiha bint Rashid al Hosani from Al Watan newspaper won the first place for an article: 'So that the hotspots do not spread', second place went to Mohammed bin Ahmed al Shezawi, and third place went to Bashayer bint Hibras al Sulaimi.
In the press dialogue competition, Bashayer bint Hibras al Sulaimi won first place for 'Dialogue: Diving into an oral history', second place went to Yousef bin Salem al Habsi, and third place went to Ghalia bint Saleh al Thakhri.
In the competition for the best photo, Said bin Salem al Hinai won first place, second place went to Nidaa bint Hafidh Bait Suwailam, and third place went to Abdulwahed bin Fadel al Hamdani.
In the written electronic report competition, Intisar bint Habib al Shibli won first place for the report 'Poetic Inscriptions and Writings on Wooden Doors', second place went to Hamed bin Saeed al Mashaikhi, and third place went to Mohammed bin Sabah al Balushi.
In the video investigation competition, Ali bin Jumaa al Riyami bagged first place, second place went to Abdulaziz bin Hamad al Ajmi, and third place went to Faris bin Jumaa al Wahaibi. Ibrahim bin Nasser al Rawahi won first place in the video report competition.
In the competition for university and college students, the awards went to Salma bint Marhoon al Farsi for investigative journalism for 'Brain Sepsis in the Child'; Najah bint Abdullah al Bahlani for press dialogue for 'An Inspiring Humanitarian Biography'; Abrar bint Ahmed al Hadhrami for the video investigation 'Diabetes is the untold pain', and Fatima bint Khamis al Sulaimani for the newspaper article competition.
An exhibition of selected photographs of Omani photographers was opened for the members of the Association, in addition to the screening of a film that reviewed the most prominent activities and events carried out by the Association in the past years, followed by the presentation of an experience of one of the leading media figures who worked in the media field since the beginning of the seventies.