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DSF announces journalism awards

DUBAI -In a traditional Ramadan gathering organised at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) offices announced the details of the DSF Journalism Awards 2004, acknowledged as the highest recognition for meritorious print media coverage of the biggest shopping extravaganza in the region on Wednesday.

Entries for the awards are invited from print media organisations and journalists to participate in the 16 different award categories, giving away total prize money of $80,000.

Speaking at the event, Ibrahem Saleh, Chief Operations Officer (COO), DSF, said, "Now in its seventh year, the DSF Journalism awards held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, symbolises our sincere appreciation and thanks to all our partners in the media for their true dedication in promoting the DSF."

Mr. Saleh also lauded and appreciated the efforts of the previous year's winner, late Renita Mascarenhas, reporter of the Khaleej Times', Weekend Magazine who had earlier this year succumbed to a serious illness.

"We all remember the efforts and hard work put in by Renita who we sadly miss on Thursday. She was a true professional and we appreciate her efforts, "he said.

Other officals present at the evening were Ibrahim Abdul Rahim, Global Village Director, Hussain Lootah, Executive Chairman, Yousef Mubarak, Administrative Director and Elham Abbas, Corporate Communications Director, Dubai Summer Suprises.

Nearly everybody from the media fraternity was present at the occasion where a traditional Arabian atmosphere was created with tents put up in the open lawns. An authentic Arabic dinner was served under the stars with diners enjoying the traditional music being played in the background. Previous award winners were invited on stage for a group photograph with the DSF officials.

The DSF Journalism Awards were launched in 1997, the second year of the festival's existence.

All the entries are judged on the quality of research, writing style, quality of content and overall presentation in different categories.

Special awards for the UAE based print media include the following categories: Best Photograph, Best overall coverage by a newspaper or a magazine for DSF 2004 and Best Layout of a story/page in a UAE publication.

The Awards presentation will be held during the closing ceremony of DSF on February 15, 2004.

A journalist/organisation may send up to seven entries, each with a separate entry form, attaching an original clipping of the story. Entries must reach DSF by February 6th, 2004.