Journalists and bloggers joined stage actors and writers at BBC London Broadcasting House for the 2025 Asian Media Awards Shortlist Announcement.
The awards celebrate achievements in a range of categories in journalism, investigations, TV, radio, stage, online and creative media.
The finalists’ announcement took place ahead of the 2025 ceremony in Manchester on Friday October 31.
The ceremony is supported by the University of Salford and honours excellence and innovation within the UK’s South Asian media landscape.
At BBC Broadcasting House, guests were welcomed by Chief Content Officer at the BBC Kate Phillips and praised all those who had helped to create inspiring work both on screen and off screen.
Journalist and broadcaster, Shamim Chowdhury who has been a panel member since 2013 hosted the gathering and shared some of the highlights and firsts in this year’s shortlist.
She was joined by The BBC’s Talat-Farooq Awan who helps to judge the stage categories at the annual awards.
The University of Salford are Premier Partners at the awards and Associate Dean Academic at the university, Paul Broster told of how an AMA scholarship had changed the life of a young student who may not have gone into further education.
The shortlist event invites previous winners and finalists to speak at the shortlist.
Sophia Seth: Starting Out In Media Was Daunting
Among the speakers was Sophia Seth who is a journalist and presenter at BBC South and was named AMA Regional Journalist of the Year last year.
Sophia told the audience: “I also don’t recall much representation on screen when I was younger.
“So, when I told my parents I wanted to work in the media, they weren’t sure if it was the right path, not least because so many of my cousins were pursuing medicine. And because they had rarely seen Asian faces on TV, it felt uncertain. But they were always supportive, and today they are very proud of what I have achieved.
“Today, we hear more voices with different accents, we see people with different skin tones, and we watch stories told by people from all parts of society.
“The more this continues, the closer we get to the point where diversity is simply part of everyday life.
“Our BBC Local services are trusted companions: places where voices are heard and where communities see themselves reflected. In towns and cities across the UK, our teams are rooted in the places they serve, shining a light on the people behind the headlines.”
Talia Palamathanan: Why Diversity in the Theatre and On Stage Matters
Talia Palamathanan picked up the Best Newcomer Award in 2024 and is presently playing Jennifer Parker in the Black To The Future Musical.
She shared some of her experiences growing up and how inspiring it was to see more and people from different backgrounds taking on roles which were not based on their ethnicity.
Talia said: “Sometimes it just seems like we are only valued for our vibrant culture.
Representation is not a one size fits all approach. Especially from such a vast diaspora we have so many varieties of stories to tell.
“We should be able to tell stories full of our heritage but it shouldn’t only be exclusive to that. We shouldn’t have to be tied to what we bring as a ‘diverse’/ ‘cultural’ factor but also in roles that have nothing to do with our skin colour or ethnicity.
“For little children and adults alike to look up on stage no matter what they are watching and feel inspired, seen, and heard. That’s true representation.”
She added: I look around this room today and I look at some of my fellow actors and theatre shows and feel proud to be here with you. This is not a competition against each other because a win for one of us is a win for all. It’s a huge step in the right direction but this new wave of diversity has to continue on and grow. And it starts with the rest of us in this room. The Asian community.
“Theatre relies on its audience to thrive so we need to bring more Asians to the theatre not just in the West End but on Tour, and to smaller companies too. Bring your family to shows. Follow and support Asian actors. Write your own stories down. Take your children to grassroots education that supports the arts – let them be inspired to be the next generation.”
Sangita Myska: A Call to Challenge Far-Right Narrative Myths
Journalist and Broadcaster Sangita Myska was named Media Personality of the Year in 2024. She spoke passionately about the media’s responsibility following a summer of anti-asylum seeker protests.
Sangita told the audience, “The far-right narrative on immigration and asylum seekers is not just a political stance, it’s a deliberate distortion. It casts all migrants as threats, all asylum seekers as opportunists, and multiculturalism as dangerous.
“These claims are designed to provoke, polarise, and distract from the real challenges facing Britain: inequality, housing, climate change, and public services.”
She called for journalists to continue to challenge these false narratives.
“This failure to challenge misinformation has, in part, contributed to a broader crisis: the erosion of public trust in established media.
“Rigorous, transparent, and courageous reporting, including on the rise of the far right and politicians who echo their messages, can help win back public trust. When journalists challenge lies, expose manipulation, and amplify marginalised voices, they remind audiences why journalism matters.
“The far right thrives when journalism retreats. It grows in the silence of unchallenged lies and the shadows of false equivalence. But we journalists—can be the firewall against that spread.
“We are not just chroniclers of events we are architects of public understanding. We hold the power to shape the national conversation, to challenge injustice, and to restore faith in facts.
“This is our moment.
“Let us not be passive witnesses to division. Let us be active defenders of decency and of democracy. Because when journalism leads with integrity, the public follows with trust.”
The 2025 Asian Media Awards are due to take place at The Manchester Deansgate Hotel on Friday, 31, October.
