Nine Honors for Channel Five at This Year’s C.B.U. Awards
On Tuesday night, in Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean Broadcasting Union held its Caribbean Media Awards 2021. It was the first presentation ceremony held in person since 2019 and media houses from the Dutch, English and Spanish Caribbean topped the list of awardees announced during the fifty-third C.B.U. general assembly in Tobago. The outstanding work of regional media professionals was recognized in annual competition that saw entries being submitted from Caribbean media houses, including Great Belize Television, Channel Five. Last night, we won big and walked away with television nine awards in various categories. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
It’s a proud moment for our newsroom. Once again, my News Five colleagues have all done well, earning themselves the distinction of being among the best reporters in the region. Throughout the year, we work tirelessly to bring you the stories of Belizeans at all levels of this small society. More often than not, it is a thankless job. To know that we are being recognized by the Caribbean Broadcasting Union as the best journalists in various categories of reporting, year on year, is fulfilling.
Paul Lopez
Paul Lopez, Award-winning Journalist
“For me, it’s really about having the privilege to be able to tell our stories, you know, as a Belizean being out there and being able to tell the stories of other Belizeans. And so, that’s what means the most to me about these two awards.”
It’s Paul’s first entry into the annual Caribbean Media Awards and already he has a pair of accolades to add to his growing resume. In the categories of Best News Item and Financial Literacy Journalism, he bested reporters from several other countries who were also competing for this prize.
Paul Lopez
“Four years ago, going to five years, when I first began my career as a journalist, I set a goal that within five years, I would have been able to achieve something that I am proud of. And so, for me to be entering that fifth year and to have received these two awards, it’s huge. For me, it sets the stage for me, knowing that there’s a lot that can be accomplished and that with the great team that I am working around, that we can win even more awards.”
For Marion Ali, the weathered reporter among us, snagging an award upon her return to the fold is testament that she has not lost her knack for expert storytelling.
Marion Ali
Marion Ali, Award-winning Journalist
“It happened for me, twelve years after leaving Channel Five and like people would say, “yoh ol’ but yoh noh cold” because when I came back, it was midyear or past midyear. And then, as everybody knows, I was struck with one of the worst bouts which was the Delta variant. So that had me out like five weeks too. So my time, the time span for me to have produced the award-winning piece was really shortened by several months. So I am very pleased, I’m very humbled and honored and I think, like I told you the last time, it’s a lesson to everybody out there than when you set your mind to do something,… nothing is impossible.”
Indeed, tenacity and grit have resulted in Duane capturing the most coveted award in journalism. He won for Best Investigative Report for a story he did last year on coastal piracy. The hard work in getting that news piece off the ground has paid off.
Duane Moody
Duane Moody, Award-winning Journalist
“People don’t realize the amount of work that goes into putting together an investigative piece. Sometimes, it is hard to get by on information that should be readily available and so I think [that] that is what is rewarding from this, that I was able to put together the story with help from the newsroom, with help from all these different persons who we were able to interview and it actually came out good. Kudos also to Rick Romero, the videographer who helped to put it together.”
Along with Rick Romero are cameramen Darrel Moguel and Chris Mangar. This year, Mangar won in a new category for Best Videographer. More comfortable behind the viewfinder than he is in front of the lens, Chris chose to shoot this story instead of granting me an interview. Congratulations to him, nonetheless.
All-in-all, Duane said it best, success on the regional stage is not only a win for our newsroom, it’s proof positive that Belize does indeed have preeminent talent.
Duane Moody
“A win for myself, for any of my colleagues, it’s a win for the station, a win for the country.”
And, if you were wondering, yes I sat this one out and may return to compete again sometime in the future. Congratulations guys, we’ve done ourselves proud. Isani Cayetano For News Five.
At the end of the Annual General Assembly, Great Belize Productions Limited was elected to the board of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union.
