The Financial Times won the Excellence in Journalistic Innovation award and two honourable mentions for Business Reporting and Opinion Writing at the 2024 Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) Awards in Hong Kong, which recognises excellence in journalism in Asia Pacific. This year the FT matched its record-high of seven nominations.
The FT’s investigative reporting on mosque demolitions and modifications in China received the Excellence in Journalistic Innovation award. The piece combines satellite imagery and drone footage with computer processing and on-the-ground reporting to reveal the extent of the rebuilding project. The winning team includes Beijing bureau chief Joe Leahy, investment correspondent Sun Yu, former Europe-China correspondent Yuan Yang, and the visual reporting team, including Peter Andringa, Irene de la Torre Arenas, Max Harlow, Sam Joiner, Lucy Rodgers and Eva Xiao.
Commenting on the win, the judges said, “An excellent combination of satellite imagery and analysis, historical reporting and context, and shoe-leather reporting on the protests and outcome of the movement.”
Investigative reporter Dan McCrum and South Asia bureau chief John Reed, along with journalists from the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and The Guardian, were awarded an honourable mention in the Excellence in Business Reporting category for their joint investigation uncovering hidden Adani Group investors. The team of journalists collaborated to confirm the authenticity of documents involved in this investigation to expose hidden investors in one of India’s most controversial businesses.
The judges remarked, “Not just India's biggest business story of 2023, this investigation fills in the blanks of a massive corporate scandal - and nails the perpetrators to the wall. The journalists and publications involved were painstaking and courageous in reporting suspected wrongdoing involving the companies of Gautam Adani, a billionaire whose fortunes have risen with those of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Asia editor Robin Harding received an honourable mention for the Excellence in Opinion Writing award for his commentary on EV battery investment and the future of the battery industry.
The judges commented, “A contrarian and somewhat unexpected view on a topic of huge interest both to individuals and to economists. And argued in a clear and articulate way. Great piece of business opinion writing, and the sort of piece I would want to subscribe to the FT to read.”
Asia editor Robin Harding said, “I'm delighted for the reporters who were recognised by the SOPA judges. These awards reflect tenacious and determined reporting on stories that matter."
The annual SOPA Awards were established in 1999 to recognise outstanding journalism in the Asia Pacific in print, digital, audio and visual reporting of impact and importance, reflecting the region’s diverse and vibrant editorial scene.
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For more information, please contact: Minnie Wong | minnie.wong@ft.com
About the Financial Times
The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading business news organisations, recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. The FT has a record paying readership of 1.4 million, more than one million of which are digital subscriptions. It is part of Nikkei Inc., which provides a broad range of information, news and services for the global business community.