Spotlight: Race hate documentary wins Amnesty media ward

A BBC News NI Spotlight programme exploring the rise in race hate attacks in Northern Ireland has come top of its category at the Amnesty UK Media Awards.

Reporter Lyndsey Telford and producer Guy Grandjean were recognised for their work on The Rise of Race Hate programme.

It took top prize in the nations and regions category.

The awards say they aim to recognise excellence in human rights' journalism.

Spotlight editor Gwyneth Jones praised the team behind The Rise of Race Hate programme.

"This is tremendous recognition for an important piece of investigative journalism, giving a voice to victims of race hate," she said.

The programme spoke to victims and explored how they were affected by attacks, as well as the impact on the communities where they were carried out.

It included the revelation that a charity targeted in racist attacks had been advised by police to reassure loyalist community leaders it was not running a mosque.

The advice was uncovered in a secret recording, obtained by BBC Spotlight, of a meeting between the Belfast Multi-Cultural Association and police.

BBC News NI's head of news and current affairs Kevin Kelly congratulated everyone involved in the programme.

"A fantastic achievement and acknowledgment for a superb film from the BBC Spotlight team, which shone a light on a dark corner of our society," he said.

The Rise of Race Hate is available to watch on the BBC iPlayer.