THIERRY HENRY IS MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
(28 June 2005)

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has won the coveted Media Personality of the Year award at the Commission for Racial Equality's Race in the Media Awards 2005. He beat off tough competition from Dame Kelly Holmes and Private Johnson Beharry to win for the accolade for his strong stance against racism in football, most notably by initiating Nike's 'Stand Up, Speak Up' campaign.

Thierry Henry decided to act after being racially abused by the Spanish coach, Luis Aragones, before France's friendly match with Spain in November 2004. Nike's "Stand Up, Speak Up" campaign was organised at Henry's prompting and proceeds from the sale of the wristbands will help fund anti-racism groups.

Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality said: "As a result of Thierry Henry's bravery and leadership, football fans up and down the country are now sporting anti-racist wristbands, clearly showing that they have no time for those who still think it is acceptable to shout racist chants and hurl abuse at black players.

"But all three nominees deserve recognition for their outstanding achievements and for being excellent role models for young people in Britain - regardless of ethnic background."

Other winners, in categories covering national and regional television, radio, newspapers and magazines and new media, included the BBC (Media Organisation of the Year), Coronation Street (TV Soap), The Bill (TV Drama), Wondrous Oblivion (Film Features) and the Guardian (National Newspaper).

Trevor Phillips paid tribute to the winners: "There was a time when RIMAs were won just for having the courage to tackle a difficult issue or a little understood part of our society. No longer. The watchwords now are excellence and appeal - two things this year's winners have in abundance.

"They have all helped to challenge negative stereotypes and increase understanding about the many different communities that make up Britain. After 13 years of trying to get the media to pay any attention at all to race issues, the quality of tonight's winners shows just how far we've come."

The red carpet event at the Curzon Cinema, Mayfair was hosted by Rory Bremner. Attendees included soap stars from EastEnders, Coronation Street, Family Affairs and The Bill, as well as June Sarpong, Vanessa Feltz and Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

RIMA 2005 NOMINEES AND WINNERS

* - winners listed in blue.

TV Soap

Eastenders, Paul Trueman's Death - BBC Drama, BBC1
Coronation Street, Maya's Revenge - Granada Television, ITV
Family Affairs, Denise and Les - Thames Drama, Channel 5

TV Drama

Sex Traffic - Granada Television, Channel 4
The Bill - Thames Television, ITV
55 Degrees North - Zenith Entertainment, BBC1

TV News

Various reports - Kurt Barling, BBC London News
Norwich Gangmasters - Channel 4 News\ITN
Various reports - Tim Samuels, BBC News

TV Factual

What Ron Said, Aspect Television Ltd, BBC1
Two Tone Britain, Channel 4
I'll Show Them Who's Boss: Sleeping Partners - BBC Specialist Factual, BBC2

Film Features

Bullet Boy - Shine Ltd
Wondrous Oblivion - Apt Films

Film Documentary

Who Killed PC Blakelock - Films of Record Ltd

Film Shorts

Coming to England - Floella Benjamin Productions
The Last Client - Apt Films
Other - Screen East

National Newspapers

True Colour of Football - Ryan Parry, Daily Mirror
London: The World in One City - Charlie English, The Guardian
Young, Muslim and British - Madeleine Bunting, The Guardian

Local Newspapers

Colour of Money - Birmingham Post
Various reports - Yorkshire Evening Post

Radio News

Ursula's Story - BBC Radio Wales
Red Button to Red Ball, India's Cricket Tour of Pakistan - BBC Asian Network
Eddie Nestor's Sunday Phone-In - BBC London

Radio Drama

Oxford Road - BBC Radio Berkshire
Romeo and Juliet in Southward - BBC Radio Drama
Something Dark - BBC Radio Drama

Radio Factual

Untold Stories - BBC Radio Derby
Golly in the Cupboard - BBC Radio Merseyside
Vote Friction - BBC Radio 1

Youth

Islam Week - BBC Newsround
My Life as Popat - CiTV
Kerching! - CBBC Drama

Specialist Magazine

Chinatown
Black and Minority Ethnic Nurses, Nursing Standard
Various reports - Vic Motune, The Voice

Consumer magazine

Variety of work - Good Housekeeping
Variety of work - Time Out

New Media

Where I Live, Romany Voices - BBC Radio Kent
Every Generation - Every Generation Media
BBC Asian Interactive

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