The merit of multiculturalism has always sparked fiery debate. Now a radio feature exploring the argument 'has multiculturalism failed?' has taken out one of the top gongs at the inaugural NSW Premier's Multicultural Media Awards.
Jointly produced by the SBS Turkish and German language programs, the story responded to German Chancellor Angela Merkel's statement that multiculturalism had failed.
"In Germany we found that there was a lot of frustration with multiculturalism," said Oliver Heuthe, senior producer of the SBS German Program.
"There were a lot of people criticising it, even ethnic Turks themselves who agree with Merkel. In Australia here there were a lot different views and that made our work very challenging," she said.
Two pieces examining the taboo topic of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) also won awards.
World News Australia's Katrina Yu picked up Best Investigative Story of the Year. Her television report broadcast last March looked at the difficult transition many women from FGM-practicing countries make when they arrive in Australia, and the need for the health system to cater to new migrants dealing with the physicial and pyschological effects of the practice.
"It took many months of research and liaising with communities and inidviduals to earn the trust that was required to put his story together," said SBS reporter Katrian Yu. "The African community is one of Australia's fastest growing migrant communities of the past decade. Many women from FGM-practicing countries should have access to the necessary health services and also cultural support and education to allow them to understand that this practice is unacceptable in Australia."
WATCH: Katrina Yu's report on FGM in Australia:
A column in Arabic newspaper El Telegraph that explored the need to bring discussion about FGM out of the shadows, picked up the Best Editorial or Commentary award. Editor Hani Elturk's piece explained the illegality of the practice and emphasised that there is nothing in Islamic law that allows it.
SBS Radio's Hindi program picked up the award for best radio report. Executive producer Kumud Merani's two stories told the tale of a pair of Indian men who drowned in Byron Bay and Queensland, and the other explored forced conversions of Hindu women to Islam in Pakistan. "It means a lot to me as an ethnic woman, a broadcaster, and it means a lot to SBS, which is the cornerstone of multiculturalism," said Merani when receiving the award.
Held for the first time, the NSW Premier's Multicultural Media Awards recognised the best of multicultural broadcasting, print and online journalism across the state. Eleven awards were distributed at a gala dinner in Sydney attended by NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell and Victor Dominello, the Minister for Citizenship and Communities.
Opening the evening, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell underlined the importance of multicultural media for a thriving Australian society.
"Multicultural media in this city ensures that people regardless of language and cultural background can participate fully in public life and public debate," he said.
The India Link newspaper won three awards, including Best News Report, Best Online Publication and Best Image. Two Lifetime Contributions were awarded to Anwar Harb of the An Nahar newspaper, and Simon Ko of the Sing Tao Daily. Turkish-language newspaper Zaman was named Best Print Publication of the Year.
SBS journalists were nominated in a slew of categories, ultimately taking home three awards.
SBS Turkish Program executive producer Tanju Yenisey thanked SBS for giving his team the opportunity to put crucial multicultural stories to air. "It's wonderful for SBS, for us, for our groups, the Turkish and German groups, and personally for myself and Oliver, but mainly for SBS. Because SBS has given us that opportunity," he said.
SBS World News Australia's Katrina Yu said multicultural media was crucial in order for new migrants to embrace Australia as their home.
"I came to Australia as a 10-year-old and was frequently told by classmates, teachers and neighbours to act, sound and be 'more Australian' - only to switch on the TV and radio, or flip through the paper and see faces that looked nothing like mine, and read about issues I couldn't relate to. It's the experience of many migrants, and a really disheartening one. It's an honour to be recognised among a number of great journalists who acknowledge the reality of multicultural Australia, " said Yu.
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