Carte Blanche, the weekly investigative magazine show on
M-Net (DStv 101), has scooped three awards at The National Press Club's
Journalist of the Year 2014 Awards.
Individual Carte
Blanche wins included Graham Coetzer, Sasha Schwendenwein and Susan Comrie in the TV features
category; Graham Coetzer, Sasha Scwendenwein and Susan Comrie in the Journalist of the year
category; and for executive producer George Mazarakis as Editor of the year.
"Carte Blanche not only maintains but exceeds expectations each year, constantly a leader in reporting for 27 years on air," says Anne Davis, M-Net's head of original productions.
"We congratulate the skilled, passionate and tireless executive producer, George Mazarakis, for his 20 years of vision and leadership, evidenced by the recent slew of awards. Carte Blanche embodies the values of M-Net programming: credible, powerful, and relevant local content."
The Oscar Pistorius trial was honoured as the Newsmaker of the Year 2014, a broadcast celebrated for its impact and news value.
Combined Artistic Productions, the production company responsible for Carte Blanche, last year produced The Oscar Pistorius Trial TV channel for MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform – a channel of which the viewership some weeks rivaled and surpassed even M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), making it the 4th most watched TV channel on pay-TV in South Africa
"Carte Blanche has
been one of M-Net’s best performing productions for almost three decades
now, but the fact that it continues winning such prestigious accolades is
indication that the content remains relevant and engaging," says Gideon Khobane, M-Net channel director.
"It
demonstrates that the programme is growing from strength to strength, meaning
that despite the many primetime viewing options available, and M-Net offers
award-winning content, consistent in its levels of quality and substance."