Riyadh – The Dubai-sponsored forum for Arab Journalism presented Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper’s Editor-in-Chief Ghassan Charbel the Media Personality of the Year Award on Tuesday. Mr. Charbel was awarded at the concluding events of the Arab Media Forum.
The event was held under the patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored the winners of the Arab Journalism Award 2017.
Since its inception in 1999, at least 136 Arab media personalities from all media specialties and from across the Arab countries have won this coveted industry recognition.
Asharq Al-Awsat’s cartoonist Amjad Rasmi was presented with the award for his outstanding cartoon works.
Born in Beirut in 1953, Mr. Charbel began his career as an editor at Lebanon’s An Nahar newspaper in 1976. He remained in that position until 1987 when he became an editor at Agence France Presse (AFP).
In 1989, he was appointed editorial director of Asharq Al-Awsat in London before heading in 1993 to become assistant editor-in-chief of al-Wasat magazine in London. He soon became its editor-in-chief and remained in that position until 2005.
He worked as editor-in-chief of al-Hayat newspaper from 2004 until 2016 when he was appointed to his current position at Asharq Al-Awsat in London.
Throughout his long career, Mr. Charbel has conducted interviews with kings, heads of state and key political players. He has published five books to date.
More than 500 senior journalists, writers, academics and specialists have also participated as judging committee members, and more than 35 eminent media persons from different intellectual backgrounds and professional experience have served on the board of directors for the awards.
Outstanding contributions in the following 12 categories are honored at the Arab Journalism Awards: 2011 Investigative Reporting, Young Talent Journalism, Photo Journalism, Economic Journalism, Outstanding Cartoon Works, Specialized Journalism, Best Press Interviews Journalism, Best Columnist Award, and Media Personality of the Year.