May 3: The annual media award was held today coinciding with the International Press Freedom Day. The award ceremony was organised at the Tarayana conference hall.

The awards were given by the guests at the ceremony including the Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley and the keynote speaker, the former editor of the Statesman, Sunanda K. Datta Ray.

Journalists competed in five categories. These are environment, culture, economy, good governance and discussions on GNH. "

Under the environment category, Tshering Penjor a producer with BBS won the award for his programme, The Cost of Climate Change, a reality of global warming and from the print media, the award was taken by Ugyen Penjore for his article on the Prayer Flag and the Forest.

In the culture category, Dawa, a current affairs producer of BBS won the award for his programme National Integrity. From the print media, the award was taken by Tshering Chuki Gyamtsho for her article, divine and the diabolic.

Neten Dorjee, an executive producer of BBS won the award in the economy category for his documentary, Grassroots First. From the print media Kinga Dema took the award for her article on Smuggling Cigarettes.

In the good governance category, Tenzin Lamsang walked away with the award from the print media and Dawa bagged the award in the broadcast category. Rabi C. Dahal won the award for his story on finding happiness in rural Bhutan under the discussion on GNH category. While in the broadcast category, the award was taken by BBS producer Karma Dendup for his documentary, Smile.

In the special category, reporting and writing in dzongkha, the award was taken by Tashi Tenzin from the print media.

The entries were judged by a panel of judges selected by the media houses. The awards include a citation and a cash prize of Nu. 25,000.