Sky News has won news channel of the year and Yousra Elbagir has been named television journalist of the year at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards.
Yalda Hakim, who hosts international news show The World With Yalda Hakim, won presenter of the year, home news correspondent Mollie Malone was named emerging talent of the year, and 24 Hours In The Kill Zone by international news correspondent John Sparks won in the digital journalism category.
It is the ninth year in a row Sky News has won the channel of the year award.
Executive chairman David Rhodes said it “reflects the commitment, talent, and teamwork across Sky News”.
“We’re proud to continue the rich legacy of Sky News in live and breaking news, serving audiences across the UK and, especially in weeks like this one, around the world,” he added.
Yousra Elbagir: TV journalist of the year
Elbagir with her RTS award. Pic: RTS/Richard Kendal
Elbagir has reported extensively on the war in Sudan over the last year, including an investigation into the “killing fields” where thousands have been targeted.
“It is a crisis that has slipped from global attention even as the suffering worsens,” she said.
“The siege of my hometown, Khartoum, and the destruction of my family home brought the realities of this war painfully close – a reminder of what’s at stake in the stories I share.”
‘A privilege to be on the ground’
Hakim was unable to receive her award in person because she’s reporting on the ground in the Middle East.
She has also reported from Israel and Ukraine and has interviewed numerous world leaders in the past year.
“During one of the most intense and consequential periods for global affairs it’s a privilege to be on the ground, face to face with the people most impacted by conflict,” she said.
Among her interviews was one with Pakistan’s defence minister who, when asked about funding and training terrorists, said his country had been “doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades”.
Malone has covered growing issues with safety in UK prisons including how drones are being used to transport contraband inside.
She has also reported on criticism of the government’s violence against women and girls (VAWG) strategy.
Sparks’ digital journalism award follows his coverage after he joined Ukrainian troops in an area targeted by explosive-carrying drones.
Like Hakim, his coverage of the war in the Middle East means he was not able to accept his award in person.
Sky News also had nominations for deputy political editor Sam Coates in the political journalist of the year category; data and forensic correspondent Tom Cheshire was nominated for specialist journalist of the year, special correspondent Alex Crawford was also nominated in the television journalist of the year category.
And Sky News’ coverage of Syria: After Assad was also nominated in the news coverage – international category.
