Johannesburg-based radio station HOT 102.7FM has racked up more awards, with the station’s Head of News, Tara Penny, honoured in two categories at the SA Radio Awards, which were held in Johannesburg on 2 December.
Penny was honoured as the ‘Best Field News Reporter’ across commercial, community, public broadcast, and campus radio and in the News & Actuality Show – Commercial category, with the latter for her work on ‘The Bully Chain’, which saw a whole month dedicated to dissecting the topic of bullying by telling stories from both the sides of the victim and the perpetrator.
Penny delved into how bullying manifests in different environments and most importantly of all, played a key role in HOT 102.7FM arming its listeners with information so they could do something about it. Penny drove this project, producing and presenting a series of special reports that added up to an in-depth series that delved into every aspect of bullying, with moving sound pieces that included interviews with victims and their tormentors, parents, psychologists, and other experts.
“This is nothing less than well-deserved and we’re incredibly proud of not only Tara’s achievements, but also the impact she’s had on how HOT 102.7FM delivers its news content,” says Lloyd Madurai, Managing Director of HOT 102.7FM. “Tara’s approach to storytelling is what sets her apart and The Bully Chain was such an important series, addressing a topical social issue from all angles and delivering the content in an engaging manner, whilst at the same time serving a broader public service.”
These awards follow Penny recently being honoured at the Brave Journalism & Media Awards, which celebrate journalists and media personalities from across the country and honour them for their bravery to take risks, investigate and ask the really tough questions.
It’s been quite a run for HOT 102.7FM, which was recently named ‘Best Local Radio Station’ at the 2023 Best of Joburg Readers’ Choice Awards – the second consecutive year the station has won this award – along with the HOT 1027 Breakfast winning the ‘Best Radio Show’ category.
This followed hot on the heels of HOT 102.7FM coming out tops in three categories at the National Small Business Chamber Awards in Johannesburg – namely ‘2023 National Small Business Champion’ and ‘National Community Award’, whilst Madurai was honoured as South Africa’s ‘National Entrepreneur Champion’.
The station also raised a whopping R19.4 million in just 12 and a half hours at its annual Teddython Hot Cares charity fundraiser in October, ensuring a strong and satisfying end to the year and laying the groundwork for a 2024 full of promise, as HOT 102.7FM approaches its fourth year of being on air, playing the very best in ‘Old Skool’ and R&B, and winning the hearts and minds of Joburg’s radio listeners.
