'Independent' and 'i' win newspaper awards

Andrew Buncombe won the Amnesty International Media Award in the national newspaper category last evening.

Mr Buncombe, who is based in Delhi, was presented with the accolade yesterday evening for an article entitled "One woman's silent quest for peace", about the world's longest hunger-strike. He has covered India, Pakistan, Burma, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other parts of South-east Asia for the newspaper.

Robert Fisk, The Independent's Middle East correspondent, was also nominated in the same category for a piece titled "The honour killing files". The article was the product of a 10-month investigation in Jordan, Pakistan, Egypt, Gaza and the West Bank.

In a separate ceremony last night, i, sister title to The Independent, won a prize for "innovation and creativity" at the 2011 Newspaper Awards.

The newspaper, which was launched in October last year, was honoured with the Platinum Award.