Hello, it’s me….
I know right it sounds like Adele. I may not be a Swiftie but sure a daydreamer (another Adele reference 😋). I am so happy to be part of the Caribbean, with its rich mixture of cultures.
That’s why I’m pleased to invite you to celebrate the success and recognition of media workers at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Media Awards.
The 35th edition held at the Umaya Hotel in Placencia, Belize, on Tuesday, celebrated the exceptional work of media professionals from across the region and recognised outstanding contributions across fifty-five categories.
Among the honorees, 4 journalists from our very own Climate Tracker Caribbean community stood out for their remarkable achievements. 3 of them are alumni of our Caribbean programmes and 1 is our Caribbean Journalism Mentor.
We hope that this proves the importance of the work we do and the impact it has on the media landscape, healthy with amazing storytellers. I spoke with the winners, let’s hear what they had to say.
Vishani Ragobeer, 📍Guyana
Vishani, representing News Room Inc., made an impact, winning the award for Best Climate Change Investigative Report for her story, “Washed Away: People Who Help Protect the Turtles Are Losing Their Home.”
She also got a Special Mention for her story Guyana’s carbon credits are helping Indigenous communities enhance livelihoods and develop villages.
Vishani was one of our COP28 Fellows and a former Climate Justice Journalism Fellow and she reflected on her time in Belize: “Belize was a great experience. It’s always good being surrounded by climate journalists. We need to connect with each other, support each other, and learn from each other because we are tackling such a huge, complex topic. We have a responsibility to figure out how best to communicate with our audiences. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn and engage and to see my work recognized. It helps encourage me to do more climate stories.”
Kalain Hosein, 📍Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian’s Kalain demonstrated his expertise in climate change reporting with his in-depth coverage of the historic Loss and Damage Fund adopted at COP 28. His work, ‘History at COP 28: Loss and Damage Fund Adopted’, was recognised with a Special Mention for Best Climate Change News Item in the print category. Kalain’s commitment to highlighting critical global issues has positioned him as a leading voice in climate journalism.
Kalain was one of our COP28 Fellow and he expressed his gratitude for being recognised for the second year in a row: “It was another amazing experience to see the toils of my time and energy recognised and awarded. These awards, coupled with the CBU’s theme of ‘media and the environment,’ underscore the importance of telling the stories of those most affected by climate change and showcasing the efforts of those on the front lines fighting to protect our Caribbean communities.”
Hipolito Novelo, 📍 Belize
Hipolito of Great Belize Productions Ltd. continues to make waves in the Belizean media landscape. His story, ‘Cultivating Hope: Belize’s Seaweed Farming Industry Takes Root’, not only won the Best Climate Change News Item award in the television category but also underscored the potential of sustainable practices in small island developing states.
We’re proud of Hipolito, one of our Caribbean Journalism Mentors (Vishani’s mentor, actually). 🧡
Hipolito’s dedication to storytelling that informs and inspires has earned him a well-deserved place among the Caribbean’s media elite.
Reflecting on his achievement, Hipolito shared: “I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive this award. My story delves into the resilience of the Belizean people and the incredible potential of seaweed farming to foster environmental sustainability and economic resilience. This recognition motivates me to continue telling stories that matter and to advocate for a sustainable and hopeful future for Belize and beyond.”
The competition also saw Duane Moody (alum Climate Justice Journalism Fellow) of Great Belize Productions Limited excelling in the climate change categories. Duane’s work on “Don’t Tax My Femininity” earned him the award for Best News Story on Poverty Reduction & Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups.
Celebrating outstanding climate change journalism can inspire journalists to persist in their work with dedication and enthusiasm. It recognises their role in shaping public discourse and motivates them to uphold their commitment to investigative reporting on crucial environmental issues. 🌎
That’s why we extend huge congratulations to all the winners at the CBU awards, kudos to all Caribbean journalists dedicated to climate crisis reporting, and hats off to all climate justice advocates! The battle continues, but as journalists, we remain steadfast, resilient, and determined to amplify Caribbean voices and garner attention. 🌱
