Rudaw TV presenter Shahyan Tahseen receives journalistic award

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Rudaw Media Network’s TV presenter Shahyan Tahseen received the Atwar Bahjat Prize, supported by United Nations Women, for her reporting on Wednesday evening in Baghdad.

Organized by the Iraqi Women Journalist’s Forum, Tahseen was among 15 women journalists from across the Arab world who received the award. She was the only Kurdish TV presenter at the event and was awarded the prize for her excellent work and efforts in society. 

Tahseen dedicated the prize to her co-workers and those who have been by her side through her successful career.

“This award is not mine alone. This award is for my colleagues, everyone in Rudaw’s team, and to those who have helped me at any stage of my life,” Tahseen said after receiving the award.

Created by al-Arabiya media outlet in 2007, the Atwar Bahjat Prize is annually awarded to a female journalist for her reporting. It commemorates the memory of Bahjat, a journalist who became the face of the conflict in Iraq for millions of viewers and was killed in Samarra, a city north of Baghdad, in 2006.

This year, however, it was awarded to over 15 women due to the high number of influential female journalists. 

Born in the city of Duhok, Tahseen started working for Rudaw in 2015. She is currently the news anchor and presenter of Barpirsyar, a show that examines the everyday challenges of life in the Kurdistan Region. She acts as a bridge between people in society and the authorities, as her show gives a platform for locals to address their concerns. 

She has received several and local international awards for her achievements and has been in the media since the age of 11.