The flagship publication of the Asian Media Communication and Information Centre (AMIC) – “Asian Communication Handbook (6th Edition)” won the BEST BOOK AWARD in Asian Media Industry category of the 2012 Asian Publishing Awards.
The awarding ceremony was held at the Crowne Plaza, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last November 30. Board of Management Chairman Cherian George received the award in behalf of AMIC. According to the organizers, some 134 entrees vied for the 17 Awards that were given away that evening.
The book, edited by former AMIC Secretary-General Sundeep R. Muppidi, is considered a mandatory read in the development communications in the Asia-Pacific region. It has two approaches in the discussion of communication: The first section entitled, “Theoretical Perspectives,” tackles issues pertaining to the need to integrate new paradigms in media delivery and audience behaviour through the integration of community oriented, culture intensive and context specific research criteria. The second section on “Mediascapes” profiles 26 countries from the Asia-Pacific region containing information on the current media and communication scene.
Dr Sundeep R. Muppidi, Chief Editor of the publication, says “I am very happy and excited that the Asian Communication Handbook has won the most outstanding project award in the Best Book on the Asian Media Industry category. The book has involved a lot of work and this recognition is a testimony to the significant theoretical contributions of all the authors. I wish to thank them and UNESCO while acknowledging the hard work of the research team at AMIC that helped in the completion of this project.”
Also, Professor Ang Peng Hwa, Chair of AMIC’s Board of Directors, notes “I know that AMIC has done excellent work in bringing out relevant and up-to-date material on Asian media. The recognition of the Asian Communication Handbook (6th edition) as the Best Book of the Year in the Asian Media category affirms that belief.“
“It is indeed an honour for AMIC and happy news for all who collaborated in this project, especially the editor Dr Sundeep Muppidi whom I know worked very hard on the project,” he added. “The Handbook is a flagship publication of AMIC and demonstrates our commitment to provide the public with up-to-date resources in media studies. We would like to thank the organisers of the Asian Publication Awards for this recognition as well as Nanyang Technological University for its support in making the publication of this book possible,” concluded Dr. Ang.
Meanwhile, taking second spot in the same category was “Freedom from the Press: Journalism and State Power in Singapore”, a book written by the Chairman of AMIC’s Board of Management, Associate Professor Cherian George.
This annual event saw 157 projects from 34 companies in eight countries vying for the Awards that were presented this evening at the Asian Publishing Convention gala dinner.