Bangladesh Television (BTV) has been given the 'Asiavision Award' for the month of May, 1997 for its coverage of the recent cyclone which battered the coast line of Bangladesh, reports BSS. A press release yesterday night said that BTV had received the Asiavision Award for its excellent coverage of the cyclone which claimed over a hundred lives and left thousands injured or homeless. The citation of the Asiavision monthly award said, "a devastating cyclone battered the Bangladesh coastline on May 20, 1997, triggering a high tidal surge and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. BTV-Bangladesh responded promptly to the disaster that claimed over a hundred lives and left thousands injured and homeless.

It gave AVN the first pictures of the tragedy within hours of its occurrence. Despite poor logistics to the far flung affected areas, compounded by power and communication breakdowns, BTV made special efforts to bring in the visuals and meet the satellite deadline of the news flash. Pictures shot by BTV camera crews were of high quality with the graphic details of the aftermath of the catastrophe, earning them great appreciation of AVN members and affiliates. BTV thus emerged as the best choice for AVN's May award.