Channel 4 triumphs at the 2017 RTS Journalism Awards

2 March 2017

Channel 4 triumphed at the 2017 RTS Journalism Awards last night, winning seven awards, with Channel 4 News taking home six of them. The awards included the prestigious Daily News Programme of the Year, and also Television Journalist of the Year, won by Matt Frei. There was also welcome recognition for Waad al-Kateab, whose work from war-ravaged Aleppo was rewarded with three awards. Still in Syria, The Last Flower Seller of Aleppo won The Independent Award. Elsewhere, Interview with a Murderer won the Current Affairs – Home award.

Details and judges’ comments below.                                                           

 

Daily News Programme of the Year: Channel 4 News                                                                                             

“The winning programme demonstrated a masterful breadth and depth of content throughout the year, from world-class frontline coverage to their trademark political analysis and powerful interviews. They backed that up with tenacious and exclusive investigations and high quality location presentation.”

 

Television Journalist of the Year: Matt Frei

“One of the best writers in the business. His use of language brings great depth to his reports and regularly shines through. His interviewing has also produced insights which others have missed. He is one of the most experienced, and skilled TV journalists working today.”

 

Camera Operator of the Year: Waad al-Kateab

“With many strong contenders, our winner’s portfolio was head and shoulders above the rest. Her powerful images didn’t flinch from showing the full horror of life and death in Aleppo.”

 

News Coverage - International: Inside Aleppo

“In a year of extraordinary coverage of appalling wars, this insight into Aleppo was something very special. Our judges described it as remarkable, compelling and the yardstick by which other coverage should be judged. Matt Frei’s scripting was word perfect. With a digital project alongside, the coverage was imaginative and innovative and ticked the enterprise box too.”

 

The Independent Award: The Last Flower Seller of Aleppo

“A fabulously powerful piece of television...The jurors applauded not only the enterprise and courage of the freelance camera operator who first suggested the story and then filmed it, but also the production company back in London who in the edit crafted a narrative that made this stand out as strong storytelling.”

 

Current Affairs - Home: Interview with a Murderer

“... a brilliant and gripping film, which was also beautifully made. It was a compelling watch, right from the first frame and the final interview was a genuine scoop!”

 

Young Talent of the Year: Waad al-Kateab

“...heart stopping, calm in horrific conditions, sensitive, empathetic, extraordinary – the compliments kept on coming.”