A NEW journalism award named after Britain’s first black TV news reported has been launched by Press Gazette.
The Barbara Blake-Hannah prize will be awarded for this first time later this year at the British Journalism Awards.
Named in honour of the pioneering Jamaican-born journalist, who is now 79, the prize aims to celebrate the work of upcoming black and ethnic minority journalists.
All black and minority ethnic entrants will be automatically entered into Barbara Blake-Hannah Award.
Blake-Hannah told Press Gazette: “I had no idea that something as simple as getting a job would make me a role model. I am so honoured. My father started the Press Association in Jamaica and I know he is looking down with a big smile on his face.”
The idea for the award came from journalist Bree Johnson-Obeng, Press Gazette reported.
“A lot of black women are written out of history and it felt like Barbara was a prime example of that. She had her career cut short. I’m hoping that the things that shut doors for her can be used to open doors for others,” Johnson-Obeng told Press Gazette.
Blake-Hannah began her career in TV journalism in 1968 when she worked for Thames TV. She was fired from this particular role after just nine months. The reason for her dismissal, Blake told Obeng during an interview in 2019, was the pressure that the broadcaster faced from viewers who did not want a black woman on TV.
The new prize is one of a number of actions the British Journalism Awards are introducing as part of its efforts to address the poor representation of black and ethnic minority journalists.
This year’s judging panel will feature new judges that reflect the diversity of the UK and entry fees will be waived for female, black and minority ethnic and disabled journalists who work for media organisations that will not pay the cost of their entry.
The 2020 British Journalism Awards will be a virtual affair.
Winners will be announced during a live webinar on 13 November.
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