Zee chairman honoured for pivotal role in news reporting

Zee and Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra and Harry Potter series author JK Rowling were awarded the International Writers Award-2014 for news reporting and fantasy writing respectively in London, on Tuesday.

Eminent persons from several fields including politics, law and journalism were honoured by the International Council of Jurists for their work.

Chandra was given the award for the pivotal role played by him in improving the standards of television news. "He has canvassed for change and has made an unwavering pursuit of innovative approaches for gathering and disseminating news," Adish C Aggarwala of International Council of Jurists said.

Among the other recipients were former home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, who was honoured for his contributions to fighting organised crime and terrorism, MK Razdan, editor-in-chief and CEO of Press Trust of India, for his services to journalism and for maintaining PTI's independence in reporting news objectively, Justice Dalveer Bhandari, judge, International Court of Justice, Peter Tomka, President of the International Court of Justice and Justice Gonzalo Moliner Tamborero, Chief Justice of Spain.

This is a moment of glory for India since it is the first time that two Indians have been nominated to receive the coveted award.