His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, presented the 'Media Personality of the Year' award to Othman Al Omeir for his contribution to the industry in the Arab world.

The honours were presented at the Arab Journalism Award on the concluding day of the Arab Media Forum 2007 at the Madinat Jumairah. The Arab Journalism Awards also honored deserving Arab media personalities and publications in 13 other categories.

Mona Al Marri, Secretary General of the Arab Media Award, said a distinguished panel of judges evaluated the nominees on the criteria of objective and unbiased reporting.

This year's, the AJA posthumously honoured the late Joseph Samaha for his pioneering role in the Arab media. Samaha's daughter, Amina Samaha, received the award from Talal Salman, Editor-in Chief and writer for Al Safer, Lebanon.

The other AJA winners included:
•Best Column in an Arabic daily or weekly publication: Musa'ed Al Saleh, Al Qabas, Kuwait. The award was presented by Hamad bu Emaim, Director General of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

•Best Business Reporting: Abdul Aziz Al Hindi from 'Magazine'; award was presented by Nasser El Sha'ali, CEO of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

•Best Sports Publication: Super Magazine; award was presented by Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President of the Emirates airlines.

•Best Environmental Journalism: Ayman Khalil Rummaneh, Al Khaleej, UAE; award was presented by Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of Nakheel.

•Best Interview: Suheir Hilmy, Al Ahram, Egypt; award was presented by Abdullatif Al Sayegh, CEO of Arab Media Group.

•Best Cultural Journalism: Akel Al Oweit, Al Nahar, Lebanon; award was presented by Salaheddine Hafiz, Secretary General of Arab Journalists Association.

•Best Photo Journalism: Mahmoud Ibrahim, Agence France Press; award was presented by Managing Director of HP William Ryder.

•Best IT Technology Report: Abu Al Hajjaj Bashir, Modern Language, Egypt; award was presented by Osman Sultan CEO of du.

•Best Political Journalism: Ghassan Al Shahbani, Al Waqt, Bahrain, award was presented by Najwa Qassem from Al Arabiya news channel.

•Best Caricature: Amer Al Zughby, Akhbar Al Arab, UAE; award was presented by Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, Executive Director, Media, TECOM Investments.

•Best Investigative Journalism: Youssef Sa'ad, Al Khaleej, UAE; award was presented by Bob Johnson, CEO of the Dubai Aerospace (DAE).

•Best Child Journalism (for children under 12 years of age): May Malhas, Al Jazirah (KSA); award was presented by Mohammed Al Hashemi, Executive Chairman of Zabeel Investments.