“The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand”
– American football coach, Vince Lombardi.
THE anticipation that gripped me last Friday night during the 35th Kenyalang Journalism Award (KJA) ceremony is difficult to put into words.
If my emotions could be likened to a cartoon character, I would have been a blend of anxious and paranoid Fear from Disney’s Inside Out or the ever-nervous Piglet from Winnie the Pooh.
The journey to that moment began approximately two weeks earlier when the KJA organising committee began reaching out to winners with invitations to attend the ceremony.
Receiving a WhatsApp message from them is essentially a golden ticket as it signifies that you have clinched an award.
The catch? The message does not spill the beans on how many awards are in your kitty.
I presume this deliberate ambiguity is designed to infuse excitement and cultivate an air of suspense and surprise.
Once the invitation lands, a guessing game will begin. You find yourself rifling through mental archives to recall which articles were submitted and in which categories.
It is a process that adds an extra layer of thrill to the entire experience.
For me, the KJA is something that I look forward to every year. It is an annual source of motivation and determination that pushes me to explore new topics and further improve my writing skills.
Beyond the intellectual stimulation, there is the tangible incentive – the prize money which I view as a well-deserved year-end bonus, a reward from me to myself.
In conversations with friends employed in the civil service or corporations, I often highlight how fortunate they are in receiving annual bonuses and incentives.
I have heard some lamenting about bonuses falling short of expectations or less than the previous years.
At such moments, I would remind them that they should be grateful that receiving something is infinitely better than nothing.
Now, in what might sound like a touch of humble bragging, I cannot help but express pride in contributing the only gold award for New Sarawak Tribune this year.
It cannot be denied that this year’s competition was tough because there were many competitors.
The journalism landscape is teeming with talented individuals who each have a unique perspective and a compelling story to tell.
To secure a gold award amidst such formidable competition is not just a personal victory but a recognition of the dedication and hard work put in by the entire team at the New Sarawak Tribune.
The tough competition this year added an extra layer of significance to the win.
It is a testament to the rigorous standards set by the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) and KJA and the high bar that journalists in the region continuously strive to meet.
The very essence of journalism lies in this healthy competition, pushing each of us to reach beyond our comfort zones and deliver stories that resonate with our readers.
Beyond the personal pride, winning this award is a reminder of the responsibility that comes with being a journalist.
In a world filled with information, our role goes beyond merely reporting.
It is about crafting narratives that inform, engage, and sometimes challenge the status quo.
It is also about being the voice for the voiceless, holding those in power accountable, and contributing to the public discourse that shapes our society.
As I reflect on this achievement, I am reminded of the countless hours spent researching, interviewing, and meticulously crafting each article.
Journalism is not just a profession, it is a labour of love, a commitment to truth, and a dedication to serving the community with unbiased and well-informed reporting.
The KJA and other journalism awards serve as a motivation for all journalists to continue the pursuit of excellence in journalism.
It encourages us to delve deeper into the issues that matter, to shed light on untold stories, and to be a beacon of truth in an ever-evolving media landscape.
As we celebrate this achievement, we also acknowledge the incredible work of our fellow journalists who contributed to the rich storytelling in our region.
For those who did not manage to triumph in this year’s edition, I hope they will not be deterred but instead see it as a source of motivation and determination to do better for next year.
The competition may be tough, but it is through such challenges that we find the inspiration to evolve, to innovate, and to continue the noble pursuit of journalism.
