TETRA PAK MEDIA AWARDS CREATE GREATER AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOOD SAFETY ISSUES

Karachi, August 6, 2012: Tetra Pak, the world's leading food processing and packaging solutions company, held a ceremony to celebrate winners of the "Tetra Pak Media Awards". The awards aim to appreciate and encourage the media's role in promoting Environment and food safety related issues in Pakistan.

 

Mr. Gul Najam Jamy, Assistant Country Director Environment and Climate Change Unit, UNDP was the chief guest on the occasion. Mr. Haroon Hameed, Chief Executive Officer of the Dawn Media Group, graced the occasion as keynote speaker and enlightened those in attendance with his speech on the role of ethics in media.

 

Speaking on the occasion Ayesha Eirabie, Communication Director Tetra Pak Pakistan, said, "These awards are an acknowledgement of the indispensable role the media has played in highlighting key environment and food safety-related issues such as climate change, industrial pollution and food adulteration in Pakistan. We hope these awards will motivate further reporting on these vastly important subjects."

 

The awards were presented in each of four distinct categories, namely - print, online, electronic and photograph. Award winners were honoured in front of their peers and senior members of Pakistan's media community and given handsome cash prizes of Rs. 50,000, Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 20,000 for first, second and third place respectively.

 

Special prizes of Rs. 25,000 were also given to participants for submitting pieces of journalism that helped create a unique perspective of local food safety or environment related issues through their work.

 

In the category of news reports in electronic media for Environment related issues, Team Kuch Karna Paray Ga of Express News won first prize, Shafqat Aziz of Health TV won second prize and Muhammad Khalid of Geo TV won third prize.

 

In the category of news reports in print media for Environment related issues, the first prize was awarded to Shabina Faraz of Sunday magazine of Daily Jang, the second prize was awarded to Faiza Ilyas, of Daily Dawn and M. Ismail Ashraf, of Daily Asas Rawalpindi won third prize.

 

Dawood Shah Tareen won a special prize for his online documentary "Poor Man's Gold" whereas Syed Murtaza Ali from Pakistan Today won two special prizes for his submissions in the photograph category.

 

 

In the category of news reports in online media for food safety related issues, M. Waqar Bhatti of The News won a special prize for his report "The Mango season is here".  Faiza Ilyas from Daily Dawn picked up a second prize for her submission in the news reports in print media for food safety related issues category, with her entry regarding toxic metals in root vegetables.

 

The awards aimed to appreciate the works of journalism concerning local food safety and environment issues. Tetra Pak, being a socially responsible corporate entity, believes in contributing towards the betterment of its community to highlight these critical issues and create awareness so as to secure the future of the environment and its inhabitants. The Media Awards are one such step to motivate segments of the media to be more socially responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy Pakistan.

 

Given the enthusiastic response from the media community, Tetra Pak has reiterated the resolve to continue the awards in coming years and hopes to increase its scope and magnitude even further.

 

ABOUT TETRA PAK

Tetra Pak is the world's leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working closely with our customers and suppliers, we provide safe, innovative and environmentally sound products that each day meet the needs of hundreds of millions of people in more than 170 countries around the world.  With almost 22,000 employees based in over 85 countries, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable approach to business.  Our motto, "PROTECTS WHAT'S GOOD™," reflects our vision to make food safe and available, everywhere. More information about Tetra Pak is available at www.tetrapak.com