For decades, Kamahl Ibram has been bringing news and entertainment to eager listeners in Australia hungry for news about their homeland, broadcasting his Arabic language radio program from a makeshift studio in his Earlwood garage.
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After migrating to Australia in 1968, the audio engineer has been broadcasting for the Coptic Orthodox Church in Australia, volunteering with the Arabic radio programmes on 98.5FM and every Sunday night, together with help from his wife Laila, broadcasting a one-hour community radio program, Voice of Egypt.
The program has listeners all over the world and and has received commendations in Egypt for bringing the community together. Last week, Ibram's commitment to the community was recognised with a lifetime achievement award in the Premier's Multicultural Media Awards.
NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka presented awards to Ibram and 11 others from a record 128 entries at a black-tie dinner in Sydney.
Mr Ajaka said the awards highlight the importance, quality, and professionalism shown by the community media in NSW.
"At a time when the mainstream media is contracting, the multicultural media is thriving and we welcome the contributions made by media professionals who play such an important role in keeping our ethnic communities informed," Mr Ajaka said.
SBS Radio journalist Naomi Selvaratnam won the best investigative story of the year which her report on migrant women who were being raped, having the attack on them filmed and used as blackmail.
The program was broadcast in 70 languages and highlighted what has been a small but growing problem for migrant women.
The best print publication was won by the Indian Link Media Group; the best online publication was won by Ang Kalatas; the best community TV/Radio report was won by the Asian Media centre for its Dragon Footprints series; and the best image was won by Australian Jewish News.
The young journalist of the year award was won by Tahmina Ansari from the ABC.
