The BBC Asian Network’s Qasa Alom picked up his very first AMA, winning the 2020 Radio Presenter of the Year honour.
Due to the Covid-19 and government restrictions winners to a select number of awards in journalism, radio and stage were announced digitally on Thursday 19 November.
The Radio Presenter of the Year award was announced via a special video message recorded by 2019 Creative Media Award winner Dawinder Bansal.
Qasa has aimed to explain and raise a series of complicated issues to audiences on the BBC Asian Network’s ‘The Big Debate’.
He said, “This is such a proud moment for me and something that I honestly feel a little bit guilty at being so happy and proud about as well. Why guilty? Simply because it’s been a year full of incredible sadness, loss and uncertainty for everyone and happiness almost feels against the rules!.
“I want to thank my family for giving me the support throughout this year to do this amazing job and my work family at The Asian Network for giving me the opportunity to broadcast every day with all the incredible stories, debates, interviews and discussions throughout this difficult time.
“And I want to thank the Asian Media Awards for appreciating and acknowledging the hard work that I and so many others put into our profession as well. For shining a light on what we do in this way. Representation matters.”
He had a special mention for his audiences, “Lastly, and most importantly I must thank the audience for letting me into their lives and sharing every thought, every worry and every hope with me. I am truly amazed at how people who have lost loved ones have felt comfortable enough to open up to me about their pain.
“I am humbled that key workers have taken the time out of their really busy days to explain what they are going through and I am so glad that listeners have chosen me to be the person they spend time with every day to help them pass time through the pandemic.”
His interviews with people who have lost family members through the pandemic raised challenging and tough questions. Among other issues, Qasa explored the issue of Colourism within Asian communities and this as still affecting many people. The conversation around mental health was given prominence on The Big Debate and Qasa talked about his own struggles.
As well as serious subjects matter he has also explored everything from the Netflix show Indian Matchmaking and the small acts of kindness that people in communities have been engaging in to help each other out. Qasa has in many ways, lived and breathed every moment during the shows he has fronted.
This year’s Asian Media Awards ceremony took place digitally on Thursday 19 November.
Previous recipients of an Asian Media Award include Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Waris Hussein, Art Malik, Mehdi Hasan, Nina Wadia, Anita Rani, Shobna Gulati & Faisal Islam.
The University of Salford are premier sponsors and partners to the awards include ITV, MediaCom, Reach PLC, M.E.N, & Press Association Training.
The awards are also supported by Manchester Metropolitan University, Routes Into Languages North West, AMT Lawyers, DKR Accountants, 6G Internet, Hilton Manchester Deansgate, Supreme Dream Events, Payal Events & Cleartwo.
