Al Majalla sets new benchmark for regional visual journalism with 13 wins at design awards
RIYADH: Al Majalla has earned 13 international honors at the Society of News Design's (SND) 46th Best of News Design Creative Competition, including a prestigious Bronze Medal.
The awards, judged by a global panel of 42 visual journalists, recognize the most outstanding journalism and design work published worldwide in 2024. Nearly 5,000 entries were submitted to the 46th annual creative competition, with Al Majalla's work honored alongside leading international titles such as The New York Times, Bloomberg, Reuters, and National Geographic.
Among the honors, Al Majalla received a Bronze Medal — a distinction awarded to visual storytelling that goes 'beyond excellence,' demonstrating an elevated level of aesthetic execution, creativity, or degree of difficulty. The recognition was granted for a body of work focused on the special topic of conflict in the Middle East.
'This achievement reflects our commitment to credible, in-depth journalism, and to presenting it in a way that resonates with global audiences,' said Al Majalla Editor-in-Chief Ibrahim Hamidi. 'This is just one step in our broader transformation journey — one that aims to center thoughtful reporting, bold editorial choices, and design-led storytelling at the core of our work.'
In addition to the Bronze Medal, Al Majalla received 12 Awards of Excellence across categories including page design, illustration, animation, and special topics such as elections and drug-related issues in the Arab world. These awards are reserved for work that pushes the boundaries of traditional media through daring, innovative storytelling.
'This is a recognition of the collaborative energy and bold thinking our team has brought to the table,' said Creative Director Sara Loane. 'We're reimagining how Arab journalism can look and feel — modern, intentional, and visually impactful.'
This is a standout moment that reflects not only creative excellence but also the momentum behind Al Majalla's editorial evolution. It underscores Al Majalla's place in SRMG's wider digital evolution, where innovation and substance go hand in hand to redefine how journalism engages and endures.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
05-05-2025
- Arab News
New York Times wins 4 Pulitzers, New Yorker 3; Washington Post wins for coverage of Trump shooting
NEW YORK: The New York Times won four Pulitzer Prizes and the New Yorker three on Monday for journalism in 2024 that touched on topics like the fentanyl crisis, the US military and last summer's assassination attempt on President Donald Trump. The Pulitzers' prestigious public service medal went to ProPublica for the second straight year. Kavitha Surana, Lizzie Presser, Cassandra Jaramillo and Stacy Kranitz were honored for reporting on pregnant women who died after doctors delayed urgent care in states with strict abortion laws. The Washington Post won for 'urgent and illuminating' breaking news coverage of the Trump assassination attempt. The Pultizers honored Ann Telnaes, who quit the Post in January after the news outlet refused to run her editorial cartoon lampooning tech chiefs — including Post owner Jeff Bezos — cozying up to Trump. The Pulitzers honored the best in journalism from 2024 in 15 categories, along with eight arts categories including books, music and theater. The public service winner receives a gold medal. All other winners receive $15,000. The Times' Azam Ahmed and Christina Goldbaum and contributing writer Matthieu Aikins won an explanatory reporting prize for examining US policy failures in Afghanistan. The newspaper's Doug Mills won in breaking news photography for his images of the assassination attempt. Declan Walsh and the Times' staff won for an investigation into the Sudan conflict. Alissa Zhu, Nick Thieme and Jessica Gallagher won in local reporting, an award shared by the Times and The Baltimore Banner, for reporting on that city's fentanyl crisis. The New Yorker's Mosab Abu Toha won for his commentaries on Gaza. The magazine also won for its 'In the Dark' podcast about the killing of Iraqi civilians by the US military and in feature photography for Moises Saman's pictures of the Sednaya prison in Syria.
Leaders
04-05-2025
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Wraps Up Participation in Muscat International Book Fair 2025
Saudi Arabia has concluded its participation in the 2025 Muscat International Book Fair, which came to a close on Saturday. This year's event attracted a large audience of readers and collectors, featuring contributions from 35 countries and 674 publishing houses presenting their latest literary and intellectual works. Led by the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, the Saudi delegation brought significant value to the fair. Their presence offered a platform for direct cultural exchange and highlighted the Kingdom's growing literary scene and translation initiatives—strengthening cultural ties across the Gulf. The Saudi pavilion stood out with its vibrant and diverse cultural program, including intellectual seminars and dialogue sessions with prominent writers and thinkers. Moreover, these activities added depth to the Kingdom's participation and reflected the rich creativity and cultural dynamism emerging from Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia's involvement underscored its dedication to fostering cultural partnerships with the Sultanate of Oman, rooted in shared history and long-standing civilizational ties. Additionally, the collaboration reflects the expanding cooperation between cultural institutions and creatives in both countries. Since its inception in 1992, the Muscat International Book Fair has been a cornerstone of the region's cultural calendar—promoting reading, supporting the Arab publishing industry, and elevating the profile of Omani literature across the Arab world. Related Topics : Saudi Arabia Unveils Dynamic Pavilion at Muscat International Book Fair 2025 Islamic Affairs Corner at Muscat Book Fair Welcomes Visitors Saudi Arabia Participates in Muscat International Book Fair 2025 'Saudi Tadawul', 'Muscat Stock Exchange' sign an agreement to enable companies to double-list on the two markets Short link : Post Views: 72
Arab News
03-05-2025
- Arab News
Maya Acra on the Oscars and making space for Arab voices in Hollywood
DUBAI: Lebanese actress and comedian Maya Acra has spent years carving out her niche across Beirut and New York. This year, that journey reached a new milestone when 'Anora,' a film she appears in, won five Oscars, including Best Picture. But for Acra, the recognition is just one part of a much longer story. 'I was raised by 'Comedy Central' (and) … 'The Nanny.' Fran Drescher was my hero,' Acra told Arab News. Her early love of performance was sparked at home, where her father, a filmmaker, recorded endless hours of her childhood on VHS. 'Being in front of the camera has been my reality since I was a baby. I have hours of footage from my childhood, sometimes just talking endlessly like I was the host of my own show. Somehow that early lens shaped me,' she said. A post shared by Maya Akra (Acra) (@mayaacra) She began performing on stage at a young age, often drawing from real-life experiences marked by grief, resilience and reinvention. After building her career in Lebanon — working behind the scenes at MTV, acting in student films and her comedy sketches going viral — Acra moved to New York to pursue acting and stand-up full-time. Now part of the city's vibrant improv and comedy scene, she has performed at venues such as The Stand, Stand Up NY and Broadway Comedy Club. A post shared by Maya Akra (Acra) (@mayaacra) Her acting work includes short films, commercials and theater, often centered around stories of identity and migration. 'I'm drawn to stories that spotlight the emotional and cultural struggles of Arab immigrants,' she said. Acra is passionate about breaking the mold for Arab characters onscreen. 'Arab talent is slowly gaining more visibility in Western media… (but) the industry still has a long way to go. Too often, the roles offered to Arab actors are still limited to certain tropes, like the villain, the terrorist or the oppressed woman. A post shared by Maya Akra (Acra) (@mayaacra) 'We have so many untold stories that reflect the diversity and success of Arabs in America,' she added. While 'Anora' was not an Arab story, being part of an indie project that defied expectations — and that went on to sweep the Oscars — was a powerful moment for Acra. She had been invited to the ceremony but did not attend. A post shared by The Rebel Agency NY (@theerebelagencyny) 'I didn't even watch the ceremony. I had just moved into my apartment. I was in a really emotional place. I had just lost my aunt,' she recalled. 'Then suddenly, I got a message: 'You're featured in the Best Picture of 2024!' I was stunned. It felt completely surreal. I was so happy, and I couldn't stop smiling.' Looking ahead, Acra is focused on continuing to tell real, layered stories through both comedy and drama. 'I carry Lebanon with me into every room,' she said. 'I'll be at the Oscars when I win my own one day. I'm claiming that.'
