Coronation Street and EastEnders are both strong contenders to win the 'TV Soaps' category at this year's Race in the Media Awards (RIMA) as the Commission for Racial Equality announces the 2005 shortlist.
For the first time RIMA will be awarding a film category with 'Bullet Boy' (Shine Ltd) up against 'Wondrous Oblivion' (Apt Films) for the prize. The Bill (Thames Television), Sex Traffic (Granada Drama) and 55 Degrees North (Zenith Entertainment) will also battle it out for the TV Drama Award.
Announcing the shortlist of prize winners today Trevor Phillips, CRE Chair, said:
"The quality of entries this year has been excellent with many journalists, programme and film makers producing some outstanding material that has contributed towards the British public's appreciation of race relations. Media representation of ethnic minority communities has improved considerably since RIMA was launched 13 years ago, though issues such as integration, Islamophobia and migration from the expanded EU and the continued discrimination faced by Gypsies and Travellers still present huge challenges to all who work in the media.
"These awards matter because balanced representation of ethnic minority communities in the media matters. The industry has a key part to play in this, it is a powerful tool and can go a long way towards helping to build an integrated society."
Judges from the national, regional and ethnic media have short-listed 45 journalists and media organisations across 16 categories from hundreds of entries. They included journalists Robert Thomson, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Moira Stewart, Adam Boulton and Tom Bradby and actor and playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah.
The winners will be announced on Tuesday 28 June at an evening ceremony at the Curzon Mayfair, followed by a VIP after-party at Just St James. RIMA 2005 will be attended by judges, nominees, a host of celebrities and leading players in the UK media.
SHORT LISTED ENTRANTS
TV Soaps
Coronation Street Granada Television
Family Affairs Thames Drama
Eastenders BBC Drama
TV Drama
55 Degrees North Zenith Entertainment Ltd
The Bill Thames Television
Sex Traffic Granada Drama
TV Factual
What Ron Said Aspect Television Ltd
Two Tone Britain Channel 4
I'll Show Them Who's Boss: Sleeping Partners BBC Specialist Factual
TV News
Body of Work - Kurt
Barling BBC London News
Body of Work - Tim Samuels BBC News
Norwich Gangsters Channel 4 News
Consumer Magazine
Body of Work Timeout
Body of Work Good Housekeeping
Film - Documentaries
Who Killed PC Blakelock? Films Of Record
Film - Feature
Wondrous Oblivion Apt Films
Bullet Boy Shine Ltd, UK Film Council
Film - Shorts
Other Screen East
Coming to England Floella Benjamin Productions Ltd
The Last Client Apt Films
National Newspapers
Young, Muslim and British - Madeleine Bunting The Guardian
True Colour of Football - Ryan Perry Daily Mirror
London: The World In One City - Charlie English
The Guardian
Local Newspapers
Body of Work Yorkshire Evening Post
Colour of Money Birmingham Post
New Media
Every Generation Every Generation Media
Romany Voices BBC Kent Website
bbc.co.uk/asiannetwork BBC Asian Network Interactive
Radio Drama
Oxford Road - The Sory BBC Radio Berkshire
Romeo and Juliet in Southwark BBC Radio Drama
Something Dark BBC Radio Drama
Radio Factual
Vote Friction Unique The Production Company
Untold Stories BBC Radio Derby
Golly in the Cupboard BBC Radio Merseyside
Radio News
Red Button to Red Ball BBC Asian Network
Eddie Nestor - Sunday Phone In BBC London 94.9
Ursula's Story BBC Radio Wales
Specialist Magazine
Black & Ehnic Minority Nurses Special Issue Nursing Standard
Chinatown Chinatown Magazine
Body of Work - Vic Motune The Voice
Youth
My Life as a Popat Feelgood Fiction Ltd, CiTV
Kerching! CBBC Drama
Islam Week CBBC Newsround
