Ariana Television and Radio Network (ATN) and Ariana News were honored with two prestigious Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) awards earlier this month and on Tuesday, company officials marked the occasion with staff.

Addressing a ceremony in Kabul, Lutfullah Stanikzai, the company’s deputy managing director and director of sales and acquisitions, congratulated the staff and thanked them for their hard work.

ATN won an award for Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace, and Ariana News won an award for the extensive coverage of forced deportations of Afghan migrants from Pakistan.

“We won two prestigious awards, one in the workplace diversity environment and the second one in the news coverage section related to immigrants,” said Stanikzai.

“We are very happy at Ariana TV and Radio [Network] and it really reflects well on our work and work environment. We hope that our colleagues will continue to shine in their professions,” he added.

“We received this award [on returning migrants] by bringing people’s pain to the government. I remember the days when the immigrants came from Pakistan, they had a hard time. There was no place [for them], Pakistan had made a decision on a very difficult situation and the government had to deal with it,” said Mujeeb-ur-Rahman Baheer, a journalist for Ariana News.

“The media, especially us, tried to go there and broadcast live from there on our news services. We spoke to officials there,” he said.

ATN and Ariana News staff were thrilled at the news of winning such prestigious awards.

They said they take pride in their work and are committed to showcasing the reality of people’s pain.

“It is a privilege for Ariana Television and Ariana News to win these awards; it’s an achievement among several countries,” said Habib Nazim, another Ariana News reporter.

Recognizing outstanding contributions in Radio, Television, and Digital Media, the winners of the prestigious ABU Prizes were announced during a gala event on 22 October 2024.

This event, a highlight of the 61st ABU General Assembly, took place in İstanbul, Türkiye, showcasing the finest in broadcasting talent from across the region.

The ABU serves more than half of the world’s population as the biggest global broadcasting union.

Established in 1964 the ABU has become a media powerhouse in the most dynamic region in the world.

ABU’s membership footprint covers around 70 countries and regions on five continents. The Union serves its diverse 250 members with tailored capacity-building in news, sports, programming and technology.