Dubai // Al Ittihad, The National's Arabic-language sister paper, has been honoured at this year's Arab Journalism Awards for a report by Amin Al Dobali on steroids in sports.
Al Dobali was among the winners, chosen from 4,000 nominations, who were named yesterday at the 12th Arab Media Forum in a ceremony presided over by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
"This is the best journalism award any journalist can receive during his or her career in the Arab world," said Al Dobali. "The UAE has always been progressive in its projects and freedoms and this is not a new feat for Al Ittihad's sports section."
The Egyptian presenter, Hamdy Kandeel, was named as media personality of the year.
He was honoured for services to the Arab media throughout a career as a writer, lecturer, diplomat and political activist.
The award for best column went to the Lebanese writer Hazem Saghieh for his articles in As-Safir newspaper and Al-Hayat daily.
Abdul Wahab Aleiwa, of the Egyptian Al Wafd, won the investigative reporting award for a feature on arms smuggling to Egypt.
The political journalism award went to Othman Lehyani, from the Algerian newspaper Al Khabar.
Nidal Hamdan, a writer for Al Bayan, received the press interviews journalism award for a feature about Iran.
For economic journalism, Khalid Al Biheiri of Oman's Al Roya newspaper won for an article on trade exchanges to Israel.
Rasha Abu Zaki from the Lebanese Al Akhbar newspaper won the specialised journalism award for a special report on Lebanon.
Syrian Raed Khalil received an accolade for outstanding cartoons.