(L-R) Acil Tabbara and Anna Nimiriano.
The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-Ifra) has honoured two women news editors from Lebanon and South Sudan for their leadership in the newsroom. In a statement on May 8, WAN-Ifra said the two women have been awarded the WAN-Ifra Women in News Editorial Leadership Award. The award recognizes exceptional leadership in the newsroom.
WAN-Ifra said South Sudan’s news publication Juba Monitor editor-in-chief Anna Nimiriano has been named the 2019 Africa Laureate, while, Acil Tabbara, the senior editor at L’Orient du Jour in Lebanon has been named the 2019 MENA Laureate.
“I’m humbled and grateful for this award. Who would have known that a South Sudanese female journalist, the only female editor-in-chief in the country, operating in a difficult conflict zone would be recognized for her work.”
“To other female journalists in Africa and around the world, this award is for you,” Nimiriano was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, Tabbara dedicated the award to the brave and inspiring journalists who had taught her, many of whom are women.
“I would like to tell the young and aspiring journalists: don’t think our profession is in decline, you are more needed than ever today in the Middle East,” she said.
The Women in News Editorial Leadership Award is part of WAN-Ifra’s Women in News initiative. The 2019 laureates will be honoured at the 71st WAN-Ifra World News Media Congress and World Editors’ Forum which is set to take place in Glasgow, UK from June 1 to 3.
Source: The Star Online
